The delightful bond of military doctors and the people

35 years rounded up since the establishment of the Liaison Committee of Military Medical Officers of Military Region D - Southeastern region and after 49 years from the day the country was reunified, the youngest person in the military medical force who participated in the national salvation resistance struggle is now nearly 70. They had the opportunity to meet to warmly embrace and never cease to inquire about their former comrades who lived in the bond of military medical officers.

The joy of the reunion of the female and male personnel of the People's Army Medical Military Region D - Southeastern region.

Once the glorious time

These days, everywhere is heading towards commemorating the historic victory of April 30th, the day the country was reunified, the land united under one destiny. And every year, on this occasion, the white-shirted soldiers of the resistance era have the opportunity to meet again. This year, over 550 delegates, including many nurses and doctors who served in the fierce battlefields of the South, had a reunion in Long An province. They came from Long An, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Amid the glaring sun, some are accompanied by comrades, loved ones. Some sit in a wheelchair, but a sincere smile always appears and their eyes sparkle with indescribable joy. Mrs. Phan Thi Xuan, a military medical officer from Dong Nai province, said she is 71 years old this year and is very happy to meet her once comrades together reliving the youthful days in the vast forests with death lurking and wounded soldiers. "I am very happy to attend gatherings like this, because every year is different. Asking about each other, I found out that some of our former military comrades have passed away, very sad,” Mrs. Phan Thi Xuan choked up.

Doctor - Excellent physician Nguyen Thi Ha Sinh, former Director of the Department of Health of Song Be - Binh Duong province, shared about the days participating in treating wounded soldiers. She recalled: "Back then, our military medical force faced countless hardships and lacked sufficient medical equipment. After using the bandages, the nurses had to wash them in the stream, boil and steam them dry to reuse for the next person. Many female nurses cried when they saw the stream water turn dark red from the bandages they had just dipped in."

“The dangers and difficulties were numerous, but we encourage each other to overcome them. We were always proud of what we have accomplished, contributing our efforts for the revolution to achieve ultimate victory," Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ha Sinh shared.

Through 2 resistance wars against France and the US, the white-coated soldiers quietly sacrificed to take care of the health of the wounded, soldiers, and people. Between life and death, they are the "white angels" ready to sacrifice to save the lives of the wounded, easing the physical pain of the sick. The extraordinary efforts of the former civilian soldiers are evidence of their noble spirit, compassion, and selfless sacrifice during wartime. They endured the heaviness of loss, the daily pain when their comrades fell.

The fierce battles like Binh Gia, Dong Xoai, Phuoc Long, Bong Trang - Nha Do, and then the general offensive uprising in the spring of 1975 brought the Vietnamese revolution to victory and united the country with the efforts of the people's army. They marched together in each battle, singing in the epic of the resounding victory. And in peacetime, they continue to help people around.

The historical pages writing on

Continuing the tradition of the previous generations, after the liberation of the South, the reunification of the country, together with the whole country, the civilian and military doctors in the Southeast region continue their career in taking care of the health of the people, veterans, and soldiers. In 35 years of establishment, they have organized 32 meetings (with 3 years temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic). This is a great effort of the members of the Liaison Committee as well as the support and attention of the Party leaders, local authorities of provinces and cities have successfully hosted the event.

Meaningful and practical activities of the medical force of Military Medical Region D - Southeast need to be acknowledged. These include visiting comrades when they are sick, in difficulty, or in need. They also involve giving gifts and providing charitable medical examinations for poor people. One of the meaningful activities that we believe is giving scholarships to disadvantaged students at medical colleges and universities in provinces and cities during traditional gatherings. With this help, the students will have the conditions to continue studying, continuing the good tradition of the medical field. With this help, the students will have the conditions to continue studying, continuing the good tradition of the medical field.

Representatives of the People's Medical Liaison Committee of Military Region D - Southeast awarded scholarships to outstanding medical students who have overcome difficulties and excelled in their studies

Doctor Huynh Minh Chin, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, Chairman of the Young Doctors Association of Binh Duong province, said that revolutionary generations of doctors have devoted their youth, their youth and even their lives to the revolutionary cause, contributing to the great victory of the historic spring of 1975, liberating the South, and unifying the country. In the future, we will continue to work with the members of the People's Military Medical Liaison Committee of Zone D - Southeast to organize medical examinations for elderly women and men, as well as carry out volunteer programs in areas where people are facing difficulties," Dr. Huynh Minh Chin shared.

Talking to us, Dr. Huynh Van Nhi, a People's Doctor, Head of the Communication Department of the Military Medical Region D - Southeastern Region, said he was very moved to witness the older generation meeting in comradely and camaraderie from the past. The officers and soldiers of the military medical department in the Southeastern Region in the past now relive memories of a heroic era and are historical witnesses, shining examples for the young generations in the medical field today and tomorrow to follow.  Medical students facing difficulties are awarded scholarships through meetings, meaningful return trips to visit old battlefields, and gifts for the poor... are also tasks that the Liaison Committee has, is, and will do in the future.

When parting, we were touched by the many promises of seeing in Saigon like the heroic lyrics of a familiar song. This is because, the Liaison Committee will collaborate with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to organize the 33rd traditional meeting of the Military Medical Region D in 2025 in Ho Chi Minh city - a special and meaningful occasion to celebrate 50 years of national reunification.

Reported by Quynh Nhu – Translated by Vi Bao