How great is the value of peace!

As I enter my twilight years, I still have echoes of springs that came without full joy. Those springs came when our country was still in the smoke and fire of war, when I and my comrades carried guns to do duty on the battlefields of neighboring countries, on the northern border.

Remember, the days before Tet during the war against America, at night "anti-aircraft lights"small as a spark, still afraid of enemy planes suddenly coming to drop bombs, fire rockets on the village causing death and misery. The sirens, the evacuations, the hiding in the bunkers quickly became familiar reflexes of all people throughout the four seasons.

Since the end of the war in the spring of At Mao year 1975, every spring has brought me countless wonderful emotions, the happy emotion of changing my life, no longer fearing bombs, stray bullets, death... In my youth, I was like a bird released from a cage, like a fish returning to the ocean, freely flying and jumping in the free, sweet, and liberal atmosphere. Surely anyone who had spent their childhood years living in war would have the same intense feelings of happiness as me, would deeply feel the great value of independence, freedom, and peace, and then forever remember the merits of those who sacrificed themselves for the survival of Vietnam; and understand more deeply the immortal words of beloved Uncle Ho: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”.

In my memory, the gentle sound of the flute still echoes, filled with images of kites fluttering in the wind on the afternoons after April 30th of that year. I deeply love the dreamy, complete springs of my youth and my first steps into life.

I feel like I matured earlier than my children and grandchildren today when they were the same age. At around 14-15 years old, I knew how to plow, work as a carpenter and builder. I became an excellent member of the Youth Union and was admitted to the Party when I was just 18 years old. I especially longed to go far away, to do something to contribute and sacrifice for the Fatherland. Is it possible that a difficult life helps people to be aware of their own responsibilities early on?

For nearly 40 years as a soldier, I have never been able to return to my family or to the peaceful village during Tet. My comrades and I have been on duty day and night, ready to fight. During the holidays and Tet, soldiers have to be on high alert to fight. I will always remember the words of the Company Political Commissar when I first joined the army: “For soldiers, having fun does not forget duty”, “The happiness of a soldier is to bring happiness to the people.“… That’s right! My comrades and I did not have the carefree, complete joy of living and fighting on the battlefield, so we cherish peace more than ever.

April has come again, passing in the peace of the great victory days, in the happiness of all people, my heart is filled with joy. I am filled with love, looking at my beautiful homeland, the bright smiles of everyone among the colorful flags, as if seeing people becoming more and more fragrant and holy each day.

This year, April comes, the victorious spring comes so fresh, signaling "favorable time, favorable location, favorable people"Today, Vietnam is gradually"stand shoulder to shoulder with the world powers", the emotional and economic distance between Vietnamese people is getting closer and closer, urban, rural, and even foreign countries are no longer as far apart as before. So happy, so proud of our people, of our beloved Vietnam, how great the value of peace is...