"Vitality" of the University - national vitality

The meeting of Hanoi University Veterans who enlisted in the army from 1955 to 1995 is a reunion of generations of soldiers and students, and students and soldiers of a heroic historical period.Nearly 400 veterans from many localities, agencies and units returned to gather under the beloved school roof of the past. The name Hanoi General University, which seemed to have faded away on administrative documents after 17 years, today seemed to shine brightly in the large hall space on the 7th floor of building T5. Familiar faces and warm smiles of the generation of soldiers - students of Hanoi General University gathered under the old school roof. The space inside and outside the hall seemed to be more sparkling with the sparkling light from the medals and stars on the shoulders of many people. We met in the jubilant atmosphere of the festival, with the pride of being veterans of Hanoi General University. In our hearts and minds, the name Hanoi General University is still almost intact, and every time it is mentioned, it evokes many emotions, many memories. According to statistics from the War Veterans Association Board of the two universities, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Natural Sciences, in 40 years (1956 - 1995), about 2,000 cadres and students of Hanoi University of Science directly joined the army. There were periods when the number of enlisted people reached 400 (September 6, 1971), which means that if divided by the total number of faculties at that time, there were faculties that had to mobilize up to 50, 60 students, and each class would have about 15 students leaving in a period. The important thing is that most of the students who left were enthusiastic, volunteered to write applications, and many of them were written in blood. Our Literature class K14, when entering school (August 15, 1969) had over 70 students, but when graduating, there were only over 40. It can be considered that organizing a meeting of "Veterans of Hanoi University of Science who enlisted in the period 1956 - 1995" is a very meaningful initiative. That initiative was supported and directed directly by the two Boards of Directors, the two Executive Boards of the Veterans Association of the two universities, the University of Natural Sciences and the University of Social Sciences, but the contributions of individuals and groups outside the university were also very important. Right from the beginning of the month (December 5, 2012), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duy Cam - Party Secretary, Rector of the University of Natural Sciences had a meeting and worked with the Executive Committee of the Veterans Association of the University of Natural Sciences, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and representatives of veterans of the Hanoi National University who enlisted in the period 1956 - 1995, to discuss the organization work. The unity and consensus of the two schools, the two Executive Committees of the Veterans Association to have such a meaningful meeting, proves that the traditional spirit of the Hanoi National University is still very strong and profound. Many people from outside agencies, but who are former students of the Hanoi National University, participated in the organization of the meeting: Major General Dao Xuan Tho - Political Commissar of the Air Defense - Air Force; Major General Nguyen Sinh Xo - Director of the Department of Crime and Drug Prevention - Border Guard Command; Comrade Nguyen Canh Toan - Director of the Forever Twenty Fund - European Economic Institute; Comrade Le Kinh Thong - Ministry of Science and Environment; Comrade Phung Huy Thinh - Hanoi Moi Newspaper; Comrade Tran Quang Anh - Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Comrade Nguyen Chi Hoa - Chairman of the Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Comrade Do Quang Huy - Former Chairman of the Veterans Association of the University of Natural Sciences. Perhaps 100% of the veterans that day were moved and excited. Especially when we stood at attention under the flag, listening again to the "Ten Oaths of Honor of the Vietnam People's Army". The oaths that we had memorized since the old days, why today, in this hall brightly lit with electric lights and brilliant with flowers, had a strangely moving power. The clear voice of veteran Le Kinh Thong, the movement of raising his fist to the sky resolutely and strongly "I swear!" made us relive the impressive days in the army. It was really touching to think that, after 4, 5 decades, after going through so many hardships and fierce challenges, we are still here, a very strong team. It is not only powerful because there are about a hundred people who have become Generals, Professors, Associate Professors, Doctors, Principals, Vice Principals, Deans, Center Directors, or writers, poets, journalists, People's Teachers, Excellent Teachers... but also because the spirit of the past is now being promoted again. That spirit seems to be still preserved, kept intact in the hearts and lungs of those who left half a century ago, now suddenly reappearing, restored. That "vital energy" is blown up again, awakening the "old man" in the minds of many people, in neat military uniforms and ceremonial uniforms. Many people wear all the badges, insignias, medals that they have kept for so long. Choosing the 7th floor Hall of Building T5 as the meeting place is also a very delicate idea. Because this hall is not as spacious and airy as the 8th floor Hall of Building E at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. But it is located on the “affair” land of the old Hanoi University, behind the former Headmaster’s house. Many people are excited and moved to return to the old school. Although the landscape has changed, the campus is still there. Building T5 was built on the eastern border of the old football field behind Hanoi University of Science, a field that witnessed many grand rallies of teachers and students in the 70s, not only enthusiastically going to fight the Americans but also bustlingly going to the northern border, to dig and build the Song Cau Defense Line, to support the border pair after the country was unified. At this school, many military campaigns of generations from 1961, 1962 took place; 1971, 1972 and even 1981, 1982… There were many grand farewells, but there were also many quiet departures due to the need to maintain organizational principles, the principle of secrecy, or due to the conditions that classes and faculties had to live in remote, isolated evacuation areas, with very “military secret” mailbox addresses: T104, A1, T104 E3, T104 G2, (University of Science, Math 1; University of Science, Literature 2, University of Science, History 3)… And to preserve that “national spirit”, the Party and the State hid us in the safest places. Then the time came when we were forced to send out to the front, those people that the people and the State had preserved and hidden, then we knew that this was the final decision, this was a historic moment, and we had to be worthy of the noble trust of the Party and the People. Therefore, we left in the heroic atmosphere of the spirit of “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”, the atmosphere of “cutting through Truong Son to save the country, with hearts full of hope for the future”, “teachers and students went as if going to the opening ceremony, the tattoo pens were full of ink to write poems” and fought with all our might for that sacred belief. Those who left in the past have not all returned, all have become scientists, writers, teachers… Many people are not present at today’s reunion. Many people fell on the battlefield, sacrificed heroically and their bodies have turned into the land and trees, their graves have not been found yet. Many people, after being discharged from the army, did not have the conditions to return to school, had to struggle to make a living for their families in remote rural areas, and then quietly left as if they had never gone to university, quietly forgetting themselves until the moment of death. Many people, because of the long distance, limited energy and money, cannot make a "tour of the capital" to meet friends... Those who come here today can be considered "successful" people, even those who do not become professors, doctors, or have no "family" are still very happy to still meet each other. As the famous general Vo Nguyen Giap once said on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the army (December 22, 2004): "60 years and still meeting each other is very precious". We have only been here for 40 years, but we are very moved. Most of them now have gray hair, many have white hair, many have retired, many are waiting for their books. And it can be said that the age group around "sixty" accounts for the majority of those who come to the reunion. Among those “over sixty”, there were people who were 75, 80 years old. We were even more moved when we stood at attention under the flag, taking a minute of silence to remember our beloved comrades who had sacrificed themselves and could not return to school today. Those comrades “are forever twenty years old” such as: Le Anh Xuan, Chu Cam Phong, Nguyen Van Thac, Dao Cong Khac, Bui Khac Tuong, etc. Among the relatives of the martyrs, the Organizing Committee of the meeting invited mother Le Thi Tham (from Thanh Hoa), 88 years old, the mother of martyr Dao Cong Khac - a former student of the 14th class of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics and Mr. Bui Khac Thanh - the younger brother of martyr Bui Khac Tuong, a former student of the 14th class of the Faculty of Biology. It can be said that the Organizing Committee and the veterans of Hanoi University of Science have devoted much love and effort to searching for the relatives and remains of the martyrs, including collecting and compiling documents to propose the State to confer the title of Hero of the Armed Forces on the martyr poet Le Anh Xuan. The speeches of veterans Phung Huy Thinh, former student of the Faculty of Literature - veterans Nguyen Lam - former student of the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, veterans Hoang Liem - former student of the Faculty of Geography and Geology... have stirred up many emotions and memories in everyone's hearts. We heard comrade Bui Duy Cam, veterans, Principal of the University of Science, express his opinion about the University, about scientific and educational activities, about school construction and the role of veteran teachers in the career of training and scientific research, in building the school. The numbers speak volumes about the role of the veterans, but also show the attention of the Party Committee and the Board of Directors of the two schools in implementing personnel policies. The Veterans Executive Committees of the two schools have done many meaningful things, and have organized many “root-return” field trips for members. Visiting old battlefields such as Quang Tri, Dien Bien, Truong Son Cemetery, meeting and interacting with historical witnesses such as war veterans who participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, organizing exhibitions and interacting with more than 150 former prisoners of Phu Quoc twice (2005, 2009), coordinating with Vietnam Television to successfully organize the exchange night A Time of Fire and Flowers (2004)... According to the report of the Executive Committee of the War Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the school has coordinated with the Association and its branches to organize for war veterans to visit old battlefields, historical and cultural relics such as Dong Loc Junction, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Truong Son Cemetery, Road Nine, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Khe Sanh, Dien Bien Phu, Son La Prison, ATK Dinh Hoa, Pac Bo, Hon Dau Island, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital... The Association has also collected, compiled and published the book Remaining with Time, which has been widely publicized at home and abroad. The school highly appreciates. On July 27 and December 22 every year, the school and its units give gifts to all comrades who are war invalids, relatives of martyrs, families with special circumstances, and war veterans with a total amount of over twenty million VND spent each year (each school). The Association and its branches have proactively visited and encouraged members when they are sick, visited, expressed condolences, and offered condolences when a relative of a member passed away. The total amount of money spent each year for visits is also up to tens of millions. Every year, on War Invalids and Martyrs Day, the Association coordinates with the school's Trade Union, Youth Union, Student Union and units to visit, give gifts, and give books to the Thuan Thanh Centers for Nursing Seriously Invalid Soldiers in Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Vinh Phu, etc. The total amount of money spent for visits and gifts is also up to several tens of millions of VND each year. In particular, the Association of War Veterans of the University (KHXH & VN) has mobilized members to support gifts and money for the Ninh Binh Nursing Center for Seriously Injured Soldiers, the Museum of Revolutionary Soldiers imprisoned by the enemy, the Association of War Veterans of Dien Bien, the Association of War Veterans of Lieu Chieu District, Da Nang, and support fundraising campaigns organized by the City Association... That is, with all the spirit and affection of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", the War Veterans of the University have had many activities to "repay the favor" to the families of war invalids and martyrs, as well as to the members. However, looking back at the list of the school's war veteran team, we also feel troubled, each congress, each meeting, the number of members decreases alarmingly. On December 20, 2012, VNU-Hanoi organized a meeting of veterans, exchanging with the war veterans: Le Ma Luong, Pham Thanh Hung, Pham Quang Tiem. It was also a very successful and impressive exchange. Director of VNU, Prof. Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan gave a very emotional speech. Veterans Association, Associate Professor Dr. Lam Ba Nam, Former Vice President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, in his speech had a very meaningful wish: "I wish you all to maintain your numbers". The Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities was established on December 22, 2001, and has so far held four congresses. From the initial 80 members, the association has admitted 18 more members, completed the procedures to transfer the association activities for 33 comrades, and 04 members have passed away. In the third term, there are 76 members left, the Executive Committee has completed the procedures to transfer the activities for 13 comrades, and 01 comrade has passed away. Up to now, the University's Veterans Association has 8 branches and 62 members. Thus, the number of Veterans from nearly 100 (December 22, 2001, University of Social Sciences and Humanities), after 4 congresses, the remaining is over 60%. The numbers: “55 comrades are party members, 2 PhDs, 34 PhDs, 6 Masters, 2 professors and 30 associate professors” (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and “110 war veterans are working at the school, including 7 professors, 54 associate professors, 18 people’s teachers (war veterans of Hanoi National University)” are truly valuable, but the remaining time they have to serve the school is not much. Many war veterans are holding key leadership responsibilities at Hanoi National University, the school and the faculties today, just like the “finish line” efforts of the soldiers of the past. The report of CCB Do Quang Huy - Former President of the Association of CCBs of the University of Natural Sciences, stated that "Meeting with Veterans of Hanoi University of Science who enlisted in the period of 1956 - 1995 is an important event, creating conditions for Veterans to meet and discuss about the heroic years in the army, the years of living and working after the country's reunification, and remembering memories from Hanoi University of Science - the place that ignited the fire of generations with the desire to live, fight, study and work for a happy and powerful Vietnam. The majority of the school's students were assigned to technical corps, a large number of others to infantry divisions, they directly participated in fighting in the most fierce battlefields: Route 9, Khe Sanh, 81 days and nights protecting Quang Tri Citadel, An Loc, 12 days and nights of "Dien Bien Phu in the air", Buon Me Thuot, Hue, Da Nang, Xuan Loc, Saigon, The Southwest border battlefield, the Northern border... In every front, the children from this school lived and fought worthy of the pride: Soldiers of Hanoi University of Science". Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Duy Cam and Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Duc Nghieu, on behalf of the leaders of the two universities, the University of Natural Sciences and the University of Social Sciences, presented flowers to express gratitude to Mother Le Thi Tham, 88 years old, mother of martyr Dao Cong Khac and Mr. Bui Khac Thanh, brother of martyr Bui Khac Tuong. Along with the special performances, the most heroic and lyrical songs of a fierce time ended a very meaningful and emotional meeting. We were given a beautiful photo calendar to commemorate the meeting and the words "Hanoi University of Science" in bright red next to the photo of the ancient lecture hall at 19/Le Thanh Tong. We continued to gather and chat in groups afterwards, at many different locations. Even until the next day, the war veterans who came back from far away, such as Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Quang Ninh... continued to tell each other about their life after being discharged from the army, after graduating from school until now... Those stories that seemed never-ending, but always touching, were still told in a style that was both Soldier, Student, and General, so it was very attractive. We hope that such meetings will be maintained annually, and that the war veterans of Hanoi University will have enough capacity to maintain the activities, as long as the two schools allow and create conditions. Perhaps it is a bit polite, but we, the war veterans of the school, would like to express our sincere thanks to the leaders of the two schools, to the war veterans' organizations inside and outside the school, to the organizations inside and outside the army, to the individuals who were former students of Hanoi University who created conditions for us to have the meeting on December 22, 2012.