Veterans pay tribute to comrades

Splitting Truong Son to install oil and gas pipelines

We met Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc (born in 1952, residing in Kon Tum ward, Quang Ngai province; Chairman of the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Tradition Association of Kon Tum province from 2014 to June 2025; currently Vice Chairman of the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Tradition Association of Quang Ngai province) for the first time when he and his delegation visited and offered incense at the Truong Son Martyrs Memorial Temple in Bo Y commune, Quang Ngai province. This is a project mobilized by SGGP Newspaper to commemorate the Truong Son Martyrs. Mr. Phuc quietly walked around the temple, personally lighting incense sticks to respectfully express his gratitude.

As a soldier who fought in fierce battles, Mr. Phuc clearly understood the great contributions of soldiers who died for the Fatherland. During the period 1972-1980, he was responsible for constructing, maintaining, and operating the petroleum pipeline on Truong Son Road (belonging to Group 559), ensuring that gasoline was transported to the battlefield to supply tanks and cars of the army. The task was extremely arduous and dangerous. The terrain was steep mountains and forests, with deep ravines.

Every day, he had to cross the forest to survey the route, carrying alloy pipes with a diameter of 100cm, a length of 6m, and a weight of 45kg. From the assembly point on the road, he transported the pipe sections to the designated locations, then installed them through the forest, over high mountains, and amidst bombs and bullets. At that time, food and drink were very poor, and with the malaria epidemic, his health was exhausted. There were times when Mr. Phuc thought he could not overcome it, but thinking of the mission, he focused his strength to complete it with the unit. By 1980, his health had declined, so he asked to leave the army and change his career.

The house of Mrs. Le Thi Nhan (Ngok Bay commune, Quang Ngai province) was built with the help of Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc.

“Having gone through years of facing death during wartime, I witnessed the sacrifices of my comrades. Therefore, the Truong Son Martyrs Memorial Temple built by SGGP Newspaper is a project of great significance. The temple is a place to commemorate those who sacrificed for the Fatherland, and at the same time, it is a place to educate patriotism for the younger generation, so that they can understand the sacrifices of their ancestors, thereby loving the country more and making efforts to build their homeland stronger and stronger,” Mr. Phuc shared.

Bridge of love

After changing careers, Mr. Phuc returned to civilian life and did many jobs to make a living. Although he was far from the battlefield, he always had one thing in mind, which was to preserve and foster the comradeship and comradeship of the past. With the desire to create a bridge between Truong Son veterans, and at the same time spread the spirit of solidarity, sharing and comradeship, in 2014, he campaigned to establish the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Tradition Association in Kon Tum province and was trusted to hold the position of Chairman of the association from then until June 2025. At its peak, the association gathered more than 1,000 members who were former Truong Son soldiers, youth volunteers, frontline workers and those who participated in protecting Truong Son historical relics...

As the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Truong Son Tradition Association of Kon Tum province at that time, Mr. Phuc and his members carried out many charitable activities, helping their comrades overcome difficulties. The association called for the construction and repair of 33 houses, supported seedlings for 33 members to develop the economy, and supported education costs for the children of 20 members. “Many of my former comrades were in difficult circumstances, so we had to take responsibility for taking care of them. Together, we mobilized, called for the construction of houses, and supported planting trees. Seeing our comrades have stable housing and a better life, we were very happy,” Mr. Phuc shared.

One of the people supported by the association is Ms. Le Thi Nhan (Ngok Bay commune, Quang Ngai province). She said: “My house used to be small and cramped, and my family’s circumstances were difficult. In 2019, the association supported me with funds to repair my house. Since then, my family has had a solid and spacious house to settle down. I am very grateful to the association for its care and help so that members have stable housing.”

Not only devoted to his comrades, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc is also an example of willpower. After being discharged from the army with a weak body after many years of working on the Truong Son road, he started exercising regularly. Now, at the age of 73, he is in good health and has participated in many local running competitions. In particular, he chose to compete in the longest distance, more than 42km.

“I joined not to compete for prizes, but to improve my health, promote the spirit of Truong Son soldiers and remember my fallen comrades,” Mr. Phuc confided.

HAPPY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nguoi-cuu-chien-binh-tri-an-dong-doi-post807767.html