Standing to attention in our endless divisions, our regiment was spread into the distance. Our uniforms, colored jungle camo, made the parade grounds seem like an ocean of green figures. I was extremely cheerful, I had passed basic training and today, we were graduating as a regiment and one of the officers even said that we might be transferring out to the front right away.
All of a sudden, the whole parade ground was ablaze with the sound of thousands of soldiers cheering. I looked towards the stage in wonder as to what had made them start. I was completely struck by what I saw. On the stage were many high ranking Generals in the Army but most importantly, a figure stood on the podium facing us all; a figure with a soft, white beard; a smooth, kind face. It was Ho Chi Minh.
I was so in shock that I did not notice everyone beside me standing to attention. Luckily, I was in the third row so our officers did not notice my late stand to attention. I heard Ho Chi Minh clear his throat and in a soothing, soft tone that also felt strongly deep and powerful, he said,
“Soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army, I address you today not as recruits but as comrades by my side and as fellow Vietnamese. You have trained long and hard to the best of your abilities and I can say, on behalf of your officers, I am very proud of you as a regiment. You have shown great determination in striving to complete your challenges without leaving a man behind. I, Ho Chi Minh, want to thank you, comrades for your determination to your training and studies and will you to carry this determination with you into the field of battle. On this day, I will have a letter, signed by myself, General Vo Nguyen Giap and your regimental commander, and it shall be delivered to your family as a sign of recognition for your efforts!”
Another great cheer erupted from the regiment. With his message delivered, Ho Chi Minh waved and bowed before taking a step down and sitting on one of the chairs, and into his place, the company commander stepped up. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a loud deep voice.
“Comrades, today is the day you graduate from training and become elite soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army. I know you are anxious for battle and I am too. I am happy to announce though that we have been assigned to do a special task. We are to retake An Lao from the Americans. I have seen great determination in all of you over the months and I know that together, we will prevail!”
Packing some clothes into the backpack, I thought to myself. I had just spent the last few months training. Our officers and the other training staff had built up my physique so that I could now carry heavier things and work harder for longer periods of time. I knew I was stronger now, and finally, with our reassignment to the south, I could test my strength. Closing my bag, I felt slightly sad though. I had left mother and my siblings at home to care for themselves and I missed them and I also missed home. But now, an hour before we left for the south, I felt sad that I was leaving the training base. This had been my home for the past few months and finally, like my home back in Hoa Binh, I had to leave. I felt like I had built another family in my regiment, in my squad with Truong and Vinh. I still missed my mother but felt that I was helping her by fighting this war.
Trucks were lined up endlessly into the forest as the main force of our regiment piled equipment and sat on the trucks waiting to be transported to the next outpost base of operations. A small company of men were being transported to the pass into the Truong Son Strategic Supply Route to ensure the route was clear for the main force.
Sitting down in the truck, I joked about the battle with the guys. Our bravado fueled conversations went from the amount of kills we’d get to our hometowns. We joked and occasionally taunted each other as the trucks pulled away and followed a convoy of vehicles all heading south. Looking behind us, I saw a trail of trucks stretching all the way back to the base on top of a hill. The canvas of each truck was covered in branches, green leaves flapping in the wind, camouflaging the truck to the jungle trees all round. (*)
As the truck rattled along the broken dirt path, I suddenly realized that sometime soon, I would be in battle. I had no idea of what horrors waited for me on the battlefields and all of a sudden, I realized, I was actually scared. I was scared for myself. I didn’t know if I would survive or if I would be wounded or even killed. I was worried for my family back in Hoa Binh and I wondered if they were cuddled together, worried for my well-being. Yet, I felt pride that I was able to help with an offensive operation in the south that would help free my fellow countrymen.
