Throughout the nation's protracted wars of resistance, many soldiers, even after returning to civilian life, still carry the wounds of a time of bombs, bullets, and smoke. As the years pass, overcoming physical pain, the eyes of these wounded and disabled veterans still radiate faith in life, because behind them is always the caring hand of their loved ones, their families, and their strong "support system."
Following the delegation of commune officials, we visited the family of Mr. Ha Trong Thuc in Mo Son area, Son Tinh commune, Cam Khe district, on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th. In his small house, war invalid Ha Trong Thuc, with 81% disability, expressed his emotion and gratitude when mentioning his "home front".
He recounted: In May 1971, he joined the Central Highlands battlefield, fighting in the resistance war against the US to save the country. After the country achieved peace, he returned from the war with five pieces of metal still embedded in his head that could not be surgically removed. Mr. Thuc's memory was sometimes impaired, and his mind was occasionally unclear. He thought happiness would never come to him.
To alleviate his pain, he frequently visited his comrades who also bore war injuries, sharing their burdens, offering encouragement, and providing mutual support. While visiting a fellow soldier in Cam Khe town, he met Ms. Ha Thi Khang – then a young, enthusiastic student in her twenties who had just graduated from teacher training college. After being introduced by a fellow soldier, and understanding and empathizing with Mr. Thuc's circumstances and sincerity, Ms. Khang, overcoming all obstacles from family and friends, decided to be with him, even knowing that a difficult and arduous journey lay ahead.
Mr. and Mrs. Ha Trong Thuc and their son reminisced about old times.
Mrs. Khang is not only a devoted and hardworking wife and mother, and a passionate teacher, but she also serves as a home caregiver for her husband, a war veteran. Having lost over 80% of his health, Mr. Thuc faces many difficulties in his daily life, thus placing a heavy burden on her shoulders.
Mrs. Khang confided: "My husband, Thuc, was originally gentle and quiet, but when his wounds flared up, his personality changed, and he lost control of his words and actions. For over 40 years of marriage, I had to endure many unwarranted outbursts of anger from my husband. Then there were the sleepless nights I spent with him, enduring the agonizing pain caused by his wounds."
During those times, she was always there to care for, encourage, and comfort him, providing emotional support to help him overcome his illness. There were times when she felt like she would collapse under the weight of life's difficulties. Yet, this woman never complained; she felt happy to have him as her emotional support and to help raise their children to become wise and mature adults.
After 44 years of marriage, whenever he talks about his beloved wife, the eyes of war veteran Ha Trong Thuc still light up with emotion, pride, and gratitude for the woman who stood by him through the most difficult years of his life. He shared: “During the war, soldiers like me relied on our guns and our comrades to keep going. In peacetime, if we unfortunately become war invalids, our wives, children, and families are the pillars that help us stay strong in life.”
After saying goodbye to Mr. Thuc, we visited the family of war invalid Nguyen Tien Anh in Hamlet 1, also in Son Tinh commune. We were greeted by a woman over 60 years old, but whose face still retained the charm of her youth.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Viet and Mr. Nguyen Tien Anh overcame difficulties and hardships to build a happy family.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Viet recalled: “Born in a poor rural area with Mr. Anh, we grew up together, and our feelings for each other grew stronger over time. When I turned 18, he finally dared to confess his love. A year later, a simple wedding was held. Less than a year after the wedding, Mr. Anh enlisted in the army to fight to defend the Fatherland on the northern border in 1979.”
For 12 years, she fought far from home, visiting home only a handful of times, and even then, she only got a few days of leave. There were times when the couple completely lost contact. Poor and with her husband away, Mrs. Viet worked various jobs to support her family.
“I did whatever work I could find, as long as it earned me money to support my children. There were times when we didn't even have a kilogram of rice at home, and we ate millet, corn, and cassava instead. It was hard, but I didn't feel miserable, because back then, everyone was like that, suffering the same hardships. During those years, what weighed most heavily on my mind, what worried me most, was news of my husband because in war, you can't predict anything. I decided that if the worst happened, I would remain a widow, raising my children and honoring my husband,” Mrs. Viet shared. And she cherished his visits home on leave; each time he came home, it was like a celebration for the family.
Representatives from the People's Committee of Son Tinh commune, Cam Khe district, presented gifts to war invalid Nguyen Tien Anh on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27th.
In 1989, Mr. Anh returned to his hometown with a 31% disability. Every day, he still helped his wife with household chores, but on days when the weather changed, his wounds would flare up, and she could do nothing but comfort him and ease his pain. She shouldered all the family responsibilities alone. Despite this, she remained cheerful and optimistic, feeling that her husband was luckier than his comrades who had perished on the battlefield.
"Although life has been difficult, I have never regretted my decision. I love him for his simplicity, his kindness, and for the sacrifices and losses he has experienced in his life," Mrs. Viet confided. Nearly 50 years of marriage, despite enduring many hardships, both Mr. and Mrs. Anh feel content with their current life.
The nation honors the heroes, the wounded and sick soldiers, and is also grateful to the wives who have loved and cared for their husbands who have sacrificed and dedicated themselves to the country. Although each woman has a different background, they are all capable, hardworking women with self-sacrifice, altruism, and extraordinary resilience.
These are just two of the thousands of wives of wounded and disabled soldiers who have been overcoming difficulties day by day, hour by hour, to build and nurture their family lives. With love and devotion, they have dedicated their lives to alleviating the losses and suffering, bringing joy and happiness, and giving the wounded and disabled soldiers renewed hope. These women brilliantly embody the traditional qualities of Vietnamese women: "Heroic, indomitable, loyal, and capable."
National Security
Source: https://baophutho.vn/hau-phuong-vung-chac-cua-thuong-benh-binh-216118.htm
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