Veterans of Me So commune: Brave in wartime, dedicated in peacetime

Veteran Nguyen Thanh Xuan in Phu Dinh village recalls wartime memories.

In 1970, veteran Nguyen Thanh Xuan from Phu Dinh village, at the age of 18, volunteered to join the army, participating in the battles of the Route 9 - Southern Laos Campaign, Quang Tri Citadel, Ho Chi Minh Campaign... with the main task of shooting down enemy aircraft, protecting the 120mm mortar positions, DKZ - 75 and providing artillery support for the infantry. During the Route 9 - Southern Laos Campaign and Quang Tri Citadel, Mr. Xuan shot down 3 American aircraft and was awarded the title of Brave Aircraft Shooter by the unit. Also during the days of participating in the fighting in Quang Tri Citadel, he and many of his comrades were infected with toxic chemicals. Mr. Xuan shared: When discovering the enemy dropping chemical bombs, the unit ordered us to cover our faces with wet cloth and lie down on the ground. I only feel sorry for those who have malaria or are injured. After being infected with enemy chemicals, they had to move to the North because their health was seriously affected and they could not continue to participate in combat.

Returning to his family, Mr. Xuan did not forget his promise to his comrades that "If anyone is still alive, he will return to inform his parents and family where his fallen comrades are." Up to now, he has personally brought the remains of martyrs back to their hometown with 2 families, and informed 6 families of the resting places of martyrs. Mr. Xuan also actively raises pigs and does side jobs to earn income and ensure his life. Carrying out the movement of donating land and expanding rural roads, Mr. Xuan has taken the lead in donating over 10 square meters ^. residential land for building village roads

As for veteran Thieu Quang Viet in Tam Tang village, the years of dedicating his youth to helping drive out foreign invaders are unforgettable heroic memories. Although the war has long since ended, the days of having to carry his comrades through the forest, through the night to bury them or the times of performing amputations of the arms and legs of wounded soldiers due to running out of anesthesia are still vivid in the mind of the old soldier.

Having gone through the war, Mr. Viet always cherished the value of peace and every day set an example by participating in emulation movements and building his homeland. The Ring Road 4 project - Hanoi Capital Region passing through Tam Tang village has a lot of residential land area that must be recovered for project implementation. Of which, Mr. Viet's family owns all the residential land with a total area of 251 ^m2. along with 6 graves to be relocated. Without hesitation, Mr. Viet was one of the first households in the village to agree with the State's policy. As the head of the second branch of the Thieu Quang family, Mr. Viet also propagated to the families in the family to understand the purpose and meaning of the project, and mobilized the families to facilitate the site clearance work so that the road could be built soon.

Me So Commune War Veterans Association visited and gave gifts to members.

Mr. Xuan and Mr. Viet are just two of more than 1,400 members of the Veterans Association of Me So commune today. continue to contribute their efforts and intelligence to build their homeland. Mr. Bui Cong Thinh, Chairman of the Association of War Veterans in Me So commune, said: Generations of war veterans in the commune always promote the spirit of being exemplary, living as an example, actively working and producing, contributing to building new rural areas, helping each other develop the economy and actively participating in other charitable activities such as: finding martyrs' remains, visiting martyrs' families and sick comrades... From there, the war veterans become shining examples for the next generation to learn from and follow.

Members of the Veterans Association of Me So commune clean and beautify the martyr cemetery in the area.

Responding to the movement of “Exemplary war veterans”, “War veterans help each other reduce poverty, do good business” associated with building new rural areas and civilized urban areas, with the spirit of self-reliance, self-strengthening, war veterans’ association members in the whole commune have competed to develop the economy. Currently, the commune has over 200 economic models owned by war veterans operating effectively. The models bring high economic efficiency with an average income of 700 million VND/model/year, creating jobs for many local workers.

Along with setting an example in labor production, the war veterans in the commune also took the lead in donating land; actively propagating the law, participating in grassroots mediation groups, educating traditions and patriotism for the younger generation... From 2024 to now, members of the War Veterans Association of the commune have donated nearly 1,000 square meters of land to build new rural infrastructure; contributed over 200 working days to participate in building rural roads and many other local projects. The Commune Veterans Association maintains the activities of 18 self-management groups on security, order and traffic safety with 90 participating members.

Bravely fighting in wartime, pioneering in peacetime, generations of Me So veterans today have become shining examples of will and determination for future generations to learn and follow, contributing with all classes of people to build the homeland to become more prosperous and civilized.

Hoa Phuong

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/cuu-chien-binh-xa-me-so-anh-dung-thoi-chien-cong-hien-thoi-binh-3185047.html