The last birthday with Uncle Ho through the memories of a bodyguard

Uncle Ho next to the stilt house where he lived and worked from May 1958 to August 1969. Photo: VNA archive

Intimate, friendly gestures

When Uncle Ho passed away forever, Mr. Tran Viet Hoan left his gun and was assigned to be the Director of the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace (abbreviated as the Presidential Palace Relic Site) from 1988 to 2004 to protect his legacy. Memories of Uncle Ho, even the smallest ones, have never faded in the mind of the former bodyguard.

In the book “Uncle Ho’s Morality - A shining example for all generations”, Dr. Tran Viet Hoan recounted the emotional lines of “remembering Uncle Ho in May”. Among them are touching stories about the 79th anniversary of Uncle Ho’s birth in the spring (May 1969).

Mr. Tran Viet Hoan - former Director of the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace. Photo: T.Vuong

Mr. Tran Viet Hoan - former Director of the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace - in a conversation with Lao Dong reporter. Photo: T.Vuong

Mr. Hoan recounted many specific and detailed milestones. He said that due to his poor health compared to a few years ago, Uncle Ho was not home on his birthday this time. Therefore, everyone had the opportunity to wish him a long life on this occasion.

At 4:15 p.m. on May 11, 1969, Uncle Ho visited and spoke intimately with the delegates attending the conference of high-ranking military officials. When he entered the meeting room, everyone stood up and shouted "Long live President Ho!", "Long live President Ho!", until with his familiar gesture, Uncle raised his hand, signaling them to sit down, then the shouting stopped.

Major General Vuong Thua Vu, on behalf of his comrades, brought flowers to wish Uncle Ho a long life. He was so moved that his voice was a bit shaky: "Dear Uncle! On the occasion of your 79th birthday, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the entire army, we respectfully wish you good health and a long life. The entire armed forces of the people have absolute trust and are deeply grateful for the leadership, education , love and care of the Party and Uncle Ho."

"As soon as Mr. Vu finished speaking, Uncle Ho happily took out the most beautiful flower and gave it to him. A very friendly gesture.

"Who would have thought that this meeting would be the last ceremony to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday with Uncle Ho in attendance by the people's armed forces" - shared by Uncle Ho's bodyguard in the past.

Another event also recounted by Dr. Tran Viet Hoan was that on May 18, 1969, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:25 p.m., the colleagues in the agency organized a birthday celebration for Uncle Ho.

Comrade Vu Ky - Uncle Ho's personal secretary - on behalf of everyone in the agency told Uncle Ho: Dear Uncle, our earnest wish is to try our best in every way, hoping that Uncle Ho can eat well and sleep well. We wish you good health, a long life, and to lead the entire people to victory in the resistance war.

No one expected that it would be the last time they would be with Uncle Ho on his birthday.

The simplicity and warm heart of the great leader

On the afternoon of May 18, comrades in the Politburo and some Central Party Committee members came to wish Uncle Ho a long life at the Politburo meeting house, right behind the stilt house.

Very simply and sincerely, Uncle Ho sat comfortably at the head of the table, some comrades sat, some stood around. Comrade Le Duan stood up to wish Uncle a long life; comrade To Huu presented flowers to Uncle. When the cakes and candies were brought out, Uncle Ho said cordially: Please make yourself at home. Remember to bring some home for the aunts and children at home.

Also according to Dr. Tran Viet Hoan, on the exact day of Uncle Ho's 79th birthday (May 19, 1969), at his residence and workplace at the Presidential Palace, he carried out many activities such as receiving relatives of martyrs, writing letters of praise to young people with many achievements; and sending a portrait of Uncle Ho to the cadres and people of Nghe An province and the cadres and workers of Hai Phong Cement Factory.

Nhan Dan Newspaper No. 5522, dated May 28, 1969, published a general thank you letter from Uncle Ho on the occasion of his birthday (May 19, 1969).

"Uncle Ho's entire birthday (May 19, 1969) took place at his residence and workplace at the Presidential Palace. Who would have thought that it would be the last birthday celebration in Uncle Ho's 79 springs of life.

Uncle Ho has passed away, but every Vietnamese person shares the same thought: Uncle Ho still lives forever with the country, the people and friends around the world. As if Uncle Ho still exists, every year in May, the entire Vietnamese people and friends around the world still celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday. This is also an opportunity for each of us to recall memories of Uncle Ho" - Dr. Tran Viet Hoan shared.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/thoi-su/sinh-nhat-cuoi-cung-ben-bac-ho-qua-hoi-uc-nguoi-can-ve-1508996.ldo