50 years ago, in the boiling atmosphere of the whole country following the call of the Party and the State, 1,120 young men of Nam Dan district, Nghe An province enthusiastically joined the army and were organized into 2 battalions, named Thien Nhan and Dai Hue, belonging to Division 316B.

On February 25, 1975, at the Military Region 4 Museum yard, Nam Hung commune (now Hung Tien commune), Nam Dan district, Nghe An province, officers and soldiers of 2 battalions held an oath-taking ceremony to go to the South to fight.

More than 500 soldiers signed the national flag, determined to fight to liberate their homeland and unify the country (the above flag after the oath-taking ceremony was presented and kept at the Military Region 4 Museum).

After the country's reunification, among the 1,120 soldiers who enlisted in Nam Dan district in the past, there were more than 50 martyrs, nearly 130 wounded soldiers, and more than 160 comrades with serious illnesses due to war consequences.

Many comrades continued to work and fight in many different units, some comrades transferred to other agencies and units.

Representatives of Military Region 4 Museum received artifacts from veterans.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of military enlistment, the 1975 Spring Veterans' Traditional Liaison Committee of Nam Dan District, Nghe An Province, in coordination with the Military Region 4 Museum, organized a meeting and discussion to recall memories of a glorious time and pay tribute to comrades who sacrificed for the Fatherland.

During the discussion program, the Museum of Military Region 4 displayed the national flag with the signatures of officers and soldiers of Thien Nhan Battalion at the military departure ceremony on February 25, 1975, which is currently kept at the Museum, and organized a campaign to collect artifacts among veteran comrades, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.

Veterans of Thien Nhan Battalion and Dai Hue Battalion, Division 316B visit the national flag signed by 500 soldiers on February 25, 1975.

At the launching ceremony, nearly 70 veterans registered to donate artifacts, some comrades directly presented artifacts to the Museum.

Acknowledging the hearts and feelings of the veterans of Thien Nhan Battalion and Dai Hue Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Gian Viet Xuan, Deputy Director of the Museum of Military Region 4 affirmed: “The Museum of Military Region 4 will do a good job of preserving and displaying the artifacts of the veterans. These are priceless relics, contributing to educating the historical tradition for today's and future generations about the sacrifices and contributions of previous generations for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.”

News and photos: NGUYEN HOANH