HONORED AND PROUD
Senior Lieutenant NGUYEN VAN BIEN
Team 1, Unit 275
President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command
During my training at the First Army Academy, an environment known as the "discipline of steel," which all cadets trained and graduated agreed to say so, I gained essential knowledge and tools for both my career and life afterward. On August 13, 2003, after graduating, I was assigned to work at the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command.
On my first day at the unit, I couldn't envision what my duties would be. Through practical training and entering into mission execution, I truly felt fortunate and incredibly honored and proud. This pride extends not only to myself but also to my family, my friends, and my hometown. I have the privilege of undertaking a particularly important, noble, and sacred political task. It is a mission entrusted by the Party, the military, and the people - a mission to maintain the undisturbed sleep of Uncle Ho, to preserve and protect absolutely the body of President Ho Chi Minh and the Mausoleum.
Over the past six years, in my position as a platoon leader, I have continually studied, accumulated practical experience, and improved my skills in various aspects. I have nurtured the moral qualities of a revolutionary soldier and actively learned from comrades and colleagues who excel in professional expertise, methods of working, and military command management. This is to ensure the successful execution of the assigned tasks.
I still remember the first day I took on the role of platoon leader, commanding the formation to perform the daily flag-raising ceremony in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was an opportunity for me to affirm myself in front of the unit and higher command levels. During my practical training, the unit organized day and night training, and I frequently received guidance from Colonel Bui Huu Hung - former Commander of Unit H75, and Major Nguyen Anh Thi - former Platoon Leader of the Honor Guard, who provided careful instruction and shared practical experiences. After a period of training and practical assessments, the unit officially approved me to command the formation in performing the daily flag-raising ceremony in front of the Mausoleum. When the national flag is raised and flies over historic Ba Dinh Square, I feel a surge of emotional and proud feelings, a sense of national pride. I silently vow before the beloved spirit of Uncle Ho, before the Party, to fulfill the mission to the best of my ability, minute by minute, hour by hour, ensuring the peaceful sleep of Uncle Ho and performing the flag-raising ceremony in front of his Mausoleum. The national flag ascends to the most solemn position in front of Ba Dinh Square, affirming Vietnam's position and stature on the international stage. This allows us, daily, to guide and welcome our fellow citizens and international visitors to visit Uncle Ho and the Mausoleum.
On one occasion during my leave to my hometown, the Executive Committee of the Veterans Association in the commune, knowing that I work at the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command, asked me to coordinate with the organizing committee for the registration of wreaths and to watch the film "The Last Moments of Uncle Ho." I remember on the morning of September 07, 2007, celebrating the success of the term congress of the Commune Veterans Association, the Executive Committee organized a visit to Uncle Ho. When the delegation arrived at No. 8 Hung Vuong, I saw 17 veterans stepping out of the car. These individuals had experienced various battlefields from Vinh Linh – Quang Tri to the southern battlefields. Some even performed high international duties in Laos and Cambodia. Many had left part of their blood and bones on the battlefields. Some are currently serving as the Party Secretary of the commune, while others have retired as District Party leaders or have been recently elected as the Chairman of the Commune Veterans Association. Among them was my father, a retired military officer since 1982, who had participated in the resistance against the United States, saving the country from 1959 to 1975, and fought continuously on the battlefield in Laos for 12 years. Now, they have grown old, with graying hair, but for some, it was their first time visiting the capital and the first honor to enter Uncle Ho's Mausoleum. After heartfelt greetings and handshakes, I led the delegation to the screening room to watch "The Last Moments of Uncle Ho," guided by the guesthouse staff. When the film started, the room fell silent, and the veterans attentively watched. For some, it was their first time seeing this emotional footage of Uncle Ho's last moments, an experience beyond the broadcasts and newspapers they had known.
After watching the film, the delegation entered the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Captain Pham Van Hien, Team 1, led the delegation's wreath-laying ceremony. The worn-out legs of these veterans were the legs of Truong Son soldiers of the past, agile and tireless, traversing time effortlessly, crossing streams and dense forests for the frontline. However, today, as they walked on Ba Dinh Square, those steps seemed to pause, as if there was a pull, a desire to slow down time to stay with Uncle Ho longer, to observe him more closely - the venerable Father of the nation, the hero of national liberation, the outstanding cultural figure. When Uncle Ho went to the eternal realm, they were still fighting on the southern battlefield. Even though peace has prevailed for more than 30 years, only now have they had the opportunity to visit Uncle Ho, explore the Mausoleum and fulfill their long-standing desire, even if it's just once to gaze upon Uncle Ho. Closing their eyes and extending their hands would bring peace to their hearts. This is the wish of the Executive Committee of the Commune Veterans' Association. The entire delegation carefully observed Uncle Ho and teary eyes expressed emotions as if there might not be another chance to see him again.
After that, the delegation visited the Ho Chi Minh Monument area at the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum, where the tour guide meticulously introduced the last years of Uncle Ho's life and the invaluable historical artifacts related to President Ho Chi Minh. On that afternoon, the Executive Committee of the Commune Veterans Association was welcomed by the Unit H75. The exchange session, although short, left an unforgettable impression on the sincere feelings of the former soldiers. On that day, representing the unit command, Colonel Vu The Khiem - former Political Commissar of Unit 275, who had fought on the Southern battlefield, delivered a speech, recalling the unforgettable memories of the heroic years. Representing the local authorities, Comrade Vu Tri Tuan, the Party Committee Secretary of the commune, spoke with sincere emotions, feeling honored that the locality had an officer serving at Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, expressing gratitude to the unit command for providing favorable conditions to receive the delegation. After the exchange, the veteran comrades wanted to convey to me - the younger generation, the importance of upholding the local traditions, serving better at Uncle Ho's side; making efforts to excel in managing the platoon command, performing the daily flag-raising ceremony better. Before parting, the members of the delegation took commemorative photos of their visit to Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, exchanging warm greetings, and promising to meet again soon. Now, when visiting any house in the Executive Committee of the Veterans Association of the commune, everyone sees those photos taken during the visit to Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, placed in a prominent position as unforgettable memories of the visit, touring the Mausoleum.
Writing down these deep memories today, I cannot forget the hardships and difficulties of my family when I embarked on the military path. My father is a war invalid, and my mother often falls ill. One time, while my mother was in the field collecting corn leaves for the buffalo to eat, she was unfortunately injured by the corn leaves, tearing the cornea of her eye. She had to undergo treatment for nearly a year, from the district level to the central hospital, without fully recovering. Due to the lack of labor, my youngest sister, who was studying in 8th grade and had been an excellent student for many consecutive years, had to interrupt her studies to help the family and allow me to continue my education, even though deep down, she did not want to quit school. During my years at the First Army Academy, many nights I thought about my father, mother, and younger siblings without sharing the burden of helping the family. Some people sacrificed their dreams to allow me to follow the military path, a path that my father and brother had gone through, representing the most beautiful memories in more than 10 years (from March 1997 to the present). My small contribution aims to enrich the traditions of Unit H75, thanks to the contributions of my family and hometown, to derive strength and belief that help me successfully fulfill every assigned task.
It is truly an honor and pride to work in a unit that performs a special political mission, stationed in the capital, a city for peace, a thousand-year-old cultural center, the political, cultural, and economic hub of the country, performing the mission of preserving the sacred heritage of humanity and protecting the revolutionary achievements that our Party and people have achieved. These are the most precious values of the Ho Chi Minh era.
