WELCOMING THE HEAD OF A VILLAGE TO VISIT THE MAUSOLEUM
Captain VU NGOC QUYET
Staff Officer, Unit 275
President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command
For a long time, we have thought about Uncle Ho with immense gratitude for his contributions to the nation, the entire country of Vietnam. It is difficult to express this in words. For every Vietnamese, it seems that there is still not enough to convey the depth of these feelings. The emotions are profound and vary according to each layer, class, and specific generation. When these emotions are examined in depth, it is like tracing back to the roots, and the answer is quite simple: President Ho Chi Minh is the great leader of the Vietnamese nation, a significant figure for the people of the world. Since Uncle Ho has been leaving us and the Mausoleum was open to visitors, the most outstanding individuals from the Party, the people, and the military – the officers and soldiers dedicated to protecting the Mausoleum, especially the officers and soldiers of Unit 275 – have had the great honor and high responsibility. Day and night, rain or shine, they wholeheartedly and attentively welcome compatriots and international guests who come to visit Uncle Ho.
Every morning, starting a new day, in summer from 7:30 AM and in winter from 8:00 AM, while carrying out their daily duties, we witness endless streams of people, one after another, in unending lines. People from different ethnic groups, brothers and sisters from all regions, from the farthest corners of the nation, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends come to pay their sincere respects to President Ho Chi Minh. They express admiration for the steadfast communist who devoted his entire life to the independence and freedom of the Motherland.
On that day, it was in autumn with the sky blue and clear sky. It was warm and with a gentle breeze. At 8:08 AM on August 28, 2008. Just like any other day, the special command post of the Special Guard Team in Room B15 (operational duty of the Special Guard Team) had a ringing telephone. I picked up the phone: "Hello, Duty Officer of Team 2 is listening." On the other end of the line, the duty officer of the Combat Operations Department of Unit 275 ordered, "Comrade, go and receive the wreath for a village head family from Ha Giang province." - "Understood." Receiving the order, I acted with great urgency. I stood up and went in front of the command mirror to adjust my uniform solemnly, then went to receive the delegation following the instructions. When leading the delegation, an elderly woman in Northwest ethnic attire led the way, looking very dignified, healthy, and agile. She led the delegation a few more steps and then turned to ask me, "Does Uncle Ho look better this year? His fingers are long and beautiful." She spoke as if to let everyone in the group hear. Before I could say anything, the elderly woman continued, "People coming to see Uncle Ho must be numerous, right? A few years ago, when my husband was still alive, my husband and I went with the province's elderly delegation to visit Uncle Ho. Now, I am old and weak. I don't know how much longer I can live, but I must come to visit Uncle Ho." Although she spoke like that, I understood her deep and emotional feelings for Uncle Ho was much more. The conversation was interrupted as we were about to enter Uncle Ho's resting room. At that moment, a poignant emotion surged within me, it was difficult to articulate in the face of the villagers' sentiments towards Uncle Ho, in which I had a part, and I suddenly recalled what she said... In the room, during those silent moments, I seemed to hear and see the heartfelt emotions of each Mong ethnic person towards Uncle Ho. I glimpsed at her and the delegation, their steps slowing down as if afraid time would pass quickly when approaching Uncle Ho. I signaled the delegation to stop, turned to the left, allowing them to have a better and closer look at Uncle Ho. I noticed tears rolling down her face.
She gazed attentively at Uncle Ho, softly uttering words of prayers... The emotional group was overwhelmed, and tears welled up in everyone's eyes. The delegation seemed to want to linger, not to move on. The special guard comrades signaled the delegation to continue, each person quietly stepping with reluctance, they didn’t want to leave Uncle Ho, they only hoped to be closer to him. Descending each step of the three-level staircase, the elderly woman wiped away her tears and said, "My hometown is far away, in Ha Giang, from 1948 to 1952 when we were young, we joined the Party to move to Viet Bac combat zone, initially we stayed in Dinh Hoa and later we moved to Tin Keo, Dai Tu. I worked in the military kitchen, and my husband worked as a traffic controller. Later, the two of us became husband and wife, and luckily, both of us served Uncle Ho, served the Party”.
I respectfully supported her hand to help her walk steadily, descending each step of the staircase and asking, 'How old are you this year, ma’am?' She replied, 'In the village, they usually call me Giang Mi Mung (Old Mung), of the Mong ethnic group in Yen Minh district, Ha Giang province. I am nearly 80 years old this year.' A few more steps, and she continued, 'You, who serve Uncle Ho here, must strive to do well. During the years in Northern Vietnam, Uncle Ho cared a lot for the ethnic people, especially the Mong people. Once, she said, 'The mountainous compatriots sacrificed a lot for the revolution and now contribute to the resistance.' Thanks to Uncle Ho paving the way and guiding, the Party leadership defeated the enemy, bringing warmth, freedom, and happiness. Therefore, the Mong people remain steadfast, grateful to the Party and Uncle Ho, regretting only the earnest desire burning passionately in the hearts of descendants, old and young, male and female, Mong people wishing to visit Hanoi to meet Uncle Ho once in their lifetime. However, due to the remote and difficult road conditions, many are unable to fulfill that wish".
I only managed to respond, 'Yes, ma’am!' She then turned to speak to her family members in the Mong ethnic language. I didn't understand and didn't find it appropriate to inquire further. I thought about her words, 'You who serve here must do well,' reflected the profound sentiment of someone who had served Uncle Ho, proudly reminding and conveying trust to our soldiers – the next generation must strive to earn the title of 'Guardians by Uncle Ho's side, guarding the sleep of Uncle Ho.' This honor is not easily attainable by anyone in society, emphasizing the pride associated with it.
After guiding the group to the Presidential Palace to visit Uncle Ho's working area when he was alive, before leaving, the old lady held my hand and advised, 'You must do well.' This advice vividly expressed the deep-seated wishes and sentiments of the ethnic groups, insisting on the need to preserve Uncle Ho’s body for future generations to have the opportunity to visit. It instilled a powerful sense of belief in me not only at that moment but throughout my military life. I bid farewell to the group and returned to the control room of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, reporting the entire story to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Manh, the current commander. After hearing the report, the Political Commissar asked me, 'Did Comrade Quyet capture Old Mung's emotions?' I replied, 'No, sir, I was in a hurry and forgot.' The Political Commissar advised me that next time, in such situations, I should capture the emotions. Once again, I deeply appreciated the Political Commissar's sincere advice and realized the special and noble nature of the task I was undertaking - a sacred mission entrusted by the Party, the people, and the military.
For me, the task of safeguarding Uncle Ho’s body is a significant political task. Therefore, I constantly cultivate and train my revolutionary ethics: hardworking, economical, honest, devoted, and selfless.' I talk to myself: I need to build loyalty and dedication to the work regularly in both tasks and daily life. To execute tasks rigorously, accurately, and solemnly to ensure absolute security during the funeral procession, to maintain high combat readiness to ensure the absolute safety of Uncle Ho's funeral and the Mausoleum. To improve the quality of welcoming, propagating, and guiding domestic and international delegations visiting Uncle Ho. This reflects the deep-seated feelings, responsibilities, and profound love of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command for compatriots and international visitors coming to visit beloved Uncle Ho.
