Former Youth Volunteers "young volunteers, old models"

Having participated in the youth volunteer force and devoted himself to the independence and freedom of the nation, returning to normal life, Mr. Nguyen Van Phe - Chairman of the Association of Former Youth Volunteers (TNXP) of Trung Nguyen commune, Yen Lac district, is still actively participating in social work, working with his teammates to develop the Association's movement, contributing to building a rich and beautiful homeland.

Born in 1946, at the age of 19, with his youth and desire to contribute to the country, Mr. Phe enthusiastically volunteered to join the army. He was mobilized to join the Youth Volunteer Force of C27, Department of Construction 2 under the Ministry of Transport , stationed in Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province. Here, he and his company were responsible for opening Route 20 - the vital route to support the southern battlefield during the years of the war against America to save the country.

Mr. Phe recalled: “The Youth Volunteer Force at that time had the main task of transporting military provisions, opening roads, building bridges, building ferries… ensuring traffic flow, and fueling the front. We had to endure hunger and thirst, pick wild vegetables, eat porridge to survive, overcome countless difficulties to carry goods up dangerous mountain slopes or wallow in rain, floods, bullets and bombs to act as markers for vehicles to pass. Moreover, many Youth Volunteers also volunteered to join artillery panels to replace wounded gunners, fighting with our comrades to protect the battlefields and bridges.”

After experiencing hardships serving on the battlefield, Mr. Phe was loved by his comrades and trusted by his superiors. In 1971, he transferred from a youth volunteer to the army to receive a new assignment. Here, he was sent to study at the Military School for 9 months, then returned to work as a staff officer at Unit E36B, Division 308B, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province. After many years of service in the army, in 1978, he continued to participate in the campaign to protect the northern border. After the campaign ended, in 1980, Mr. Phe was discharged and returned to his hometown.

In his hometown, Mr. Phe actively participates in social work and holds many roles such as Head of the Commune Land Management Board, Chief Accountant of the Cooperative, Head of the Veterans Association, and Chairman of the Trung Nguyen Commune Veterans Association from 2008 to present.

Sticking to his military career, with tireless legs and the spirit of a resilient Youth Volunteer Soldier, in his old age, Mr. Phe is always enthusiastic about association work.

He confided: “More than anyone else, I always understand that most of the former Youth Volunteers who return to their hometowns after years of fighting are old, and with the consequences of war, they are often sick, and their families face many financial difficulties. Therefore, I always think about my comrades, and try my best to support members with the motto “leave no one behind”.

From those concerns, he and the Executive Committee of the Commune Veterans Association made efforts to participate in resolving the regime and policies for members; mobilize funds, support the construction of houses for members and families with difficult policies; mobilize the Comradeship Fund, reaching an average of 1.8 million VND/member to visit and give gifts to former Youth Volunteers when they are sick, on holidays and Tet, and use the fund to lend capital to members at low interest rates to develop the economy. Thanks to his concern for the lives of members, Mr. Phe and the cadres and members have built the association to always be strong and united, truly becoming a common home for former Youth Volunteers.

As an association officer, Mr. Phe has always been a pioneer, actively participating in the movements and activities of the association and the locality, setting an example for former Youth Volunteers in the area to follow. Typically, in the National Target Program for New Rural Development, when the commune launched a movement to donate land for road construction, he set an example by donating 60 square meters of rice fields to open internal roads, serving the irrigation and production work of the people.

Following his example, many other former Youth Volunteers also volunteered to donate hundreds of square meters of land to expand village roads, intra-field roads, and expand the area of ​​the cultural house. In addition, former Youth Volunteers of the commune also contributed money to support people in the Central region affected by storms and floods, to education promotion funds, and to funds for the poor.

It is known that Mr. Phe's wife, Mrs. Duong Thi Ngo, also participated in the youth volunteer force and was a cadre of the women's association, so she understood and supported the local movement with her husband. The couple has 3 children, all of whom are educated and have stable jobs. A happy family and successful children also help Mr. Phe feel secure and have the conditions to better perform his role as Chairman of the Commune's Association of Former Youth Volunteers.

The noble medals that Mr. Nguyen Van Phe was awarded by the State are a source of pride for him and his wife to tell stories about and educate their children and grandchildren.

With the spirit of “young volunteers, old people are exemplary”, during many years of work, Mr. Nguyen Van Phe has been awarded many noble medals and Certificates of Merit and Certificates of Merit from various levels and sectors. These are evidences of the desire to contribute, the valuable qualities that the former Youth Volunteers have promoted, and are shining examples for the younger generation to learn and follow.

Article and photos: Thao My

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/127516/Cuu-Thanh-nien-xung-phong-“tre-xung-phong-gia-mau-muc”