July Tears

In July, the weather is capricious, sometimes the sun is scorching, sometimes it rains like pouring water. The summer wind blows arrogantly over the treetops and blades of grass. In July, there is a very special day, the day when the entire Vietnamese nation turns to the heroic martyrs, those who heroically sacrificed, devoted their youth and blood for the independence and freedom of the nation, for the happiness of the people.

My grandfather's July is filled with memories of his old military uniform, along with some souvenirs of his life on the fierce battlefield. Rubber sandals, toad-shaped backpacks, and drinking cups have become sacred souvenirs... Every year on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27, he would take out those souvenirs, clean them, admire them, reminisce, and then carefully put them back in their original places. Every time he did that, my siblings and I, and some of the neighborhood kids, would gather around and ask him questions. The fascinating and emotional stories he told about the battlefield helped us children understand the cruelty of war. Among those souvenirs, the most special was the cup he brought back from the battlefield.

On the mug, he engraved Uncle Ho's poem wishing him a happy Tet in 1968: "This spring is better than the previous springs/ Victory and good news all over the country/ North and South compete to fight the American invaders/ Go ahead! Total victory will be ours!". Once my grandmother advised him: "If the mug is still usable, then take it out and use it." At first he did not agree, because he was afraid it would break, but later he let him use it... Life became more and more modern, many beautiful mugs were bought by my mother, but on the drinking table, the mug he brought back from the battlefield was still present and familiar to everyone in the house.

In July, I followed the veterans, armed forces and local departments, agencies and organizations to the cemetery to light candles to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs on July 27. That night, the whole cemetery seemed to have thousands of twinkling stars that could not sleep. We - the young people today - understand more about the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" and are more grateful for what our ancestors have given us today.

In July, among the incense-burning group in memory, I choked up listening to the song on the radio: "My country is slender with the sound of the monochord/ Listening to the mother's pain/ Three times seeing her children off, twice crying silently/ The brothers did not return, leaving the mother alone in silence".

The war has gradually faded into the past, I wonder if the wounds of war in many regions of the beloved land of Vietnam have healed yet? Why does the song still linger in my heart with such emotion? In many cemeteries in this S-shaped country, there are still many nameless graves. They fell for the independence and freedom of the country but could not return to their motherland. Many mothers and wives still suffer endlessly...

In July, we silently express our gratitude to those who heroically sacrificed for the independence and freedom of our country today.