Visiting the revolutionary relic of Pha Lo bridge

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Implementing the policy of the Party Central Committee, in October 1955, the Provincial Administrative Committee decided to build Route 217 from Thiet Ke Commune (now Thiet Ong Commune) to Na Meo Commune. On December 1, 1955, the route was started. After 3 months of construction, the 91.3km route was basically completed, not only helping to promote the socio-economic development of the mountainous communes in the West but also strengthening the friendship between the two provinces of Thanh Hoa - Hua Phan (Laos).

The historical revolutionary relic of Pha Lo bridge is the pride of the ethnic people in Quan Son commune.

When the new road was completed, people and vehicles had to travel by ferry to reach the center of Quan Son district (now Quan Son commune). At the end of 1956, Pha Lo bridge was solidly built to meet the people's trading needs.

In 1964, the US imperialists and their lackeys in Laos increased their bombing activities on Lao soil and sought to infiltrate the Vietnamese border. During this time, many communes in the old Quan Son district were among the enemy's key attacks. Among them, Pha Lo bridge was the target of fierce attacks by the enemy, aiming to cut off the vital traffic route for transporting goods, food, weapons, and military supplies to Laos. On April 21, 1965, the US Air Force began to carry out the bombing of Pha Lo bridge and 11 other locations in the old Quan Son district. At 2:29 p.m. on July 16, 1966, at Pha Lo bridge, the militia forces on duty from Trung Thuong, Trung Ha, and Son Lu communes, along with a squad of Company 188 and the local B41 Platoon, shot down the first US aircraft.

During the resistance war against the US, the area around Pha Lo bridge had to endure 14 enemy attacks. With the spirit of patriotism, the ethnic people in the old Quan Son district heroically protected the Pha Lo bridge intact, so that traffic could be smooth. Thanks to that, thousands of tons of goods, weapons, ammunition, medicine, and production tools were safely transported to serve the cause of protecting the Fatherland in the border area not only in Vietnam but also in neighboring Laos.

Over time, Pha Lo bridge has deteriorated, causing unsafety for people and vehicles. On April 6, 1970, the new Pha Lo bridge was built next to the old bridge, contributing significantly to the socio -economic development of many mountainous communes. With its historical values, in 2011 the old Pha Lo bridge was ranked as a provincial-level revolutionary historical relic.

Proud of the tradition of the homeland with revolutionary historical relics, in recent years, the Party Committee and the government of Quan Son commune have always paid attention to educating the people in the commune about the tradition of patriotism. At the same time, they have directed schools to organize practical experience activities at historical and cultural relics.

Recognizing the school's responsibility in preserving and promoting the value of the Pha Lo Bridge Revolutionary Historical Relic, Quan Son Primary and Secondary School always focuses on educating students about the value of the relic through integrating it into social science subjects; organizing field teaching activities at the relic.

Chairman of Quan Son Commune People's Committee Vi Thi Trong said: "To preserve and promote the value of the Pha Lo Bridge historical revolutionary relic, Quan Son commune continues to promote propaganda and mobilize local people to actively participate in protecting and not violating the relic. Direct mass organizations and coordinate with schools in the commune to promote propaganda and education on the value of the relic for the younger generation. Focus on building this place into an attractive tourist destination."

Article and photos: Hai Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ve-tham-di-tich-cach-mang-nbsp-cau-pha-lo-260146.htm