More than just an anniversary

On August 10, 1961, the US military began spraying toxic chemicals over Vietnam. The green forests were destroyed, the land became barren, and the crops were devastated. But the consequences did not stop there. The toxic substance called Agent Orange had seeped into the blood and flesh of people, spreading diseases, deformities, and misfortunes that time could not erase.

More than 60 years have passed since the first day of the Agent Orange spraying campaign, the country has changed every day, but the numbers are still painful: About 4.8 million people were exposed, more than 3 million were direct victims, hundreds of thousands were born with incomplete bodies. The cries of children that cannot be expressed into words, the blank eyes, the convulsed bodies... are painful reminders of an unforgettable war crime.

Since 2004, August 10 has been chosen as the “Day for Vietnamese Agent Orange Victims”. This is not only a day of remembrance, but also a day of action. Action to ease the pain, to spread love, to remind each of our responsibility and conscience in the journey of joining hands with the unfortunate.

In many localities, on this occasion, charitable activities are organized: gift giving, free medical examination and treatment, inauguration of charity houses, job fairs for the disabled, exhibitions of paintings by Agent Orange victims, etc.

Every program, every action, no matter how small, carries a very big message: “You are not alone”. That is the way the community tells Agent Orange victims that they are still loved, still cared for, still have a place in the heart of society.

But sharing should not only happen once a year. Because the pain of Agent Orange does not just come and go. It smolders every day, gnawing at the body and spirit, forcing those who carry it to struggle to live, to learn to smile when everything that is normal to others is a luxury to them.

There are mothers who have not slept a full night’s sleep for over 40 years because their disabled child cannot turn over on his own. There are fathers whose shoulders are heavy because all three children were born with genetic defects caused by dioxin.

There are children who have not yet had the chance to call “Dad” when their fathers have died of cancer - the after-effects of years of fighting in the jungles sprayed with chemicals. There are soldiers who return from the battlefield, physically intact, but then suddenly find their bodies gradually weakening, then illness strikes, and is passed on to their children and grandchildren.

And yet, amid the loss, there is still light. Many Agent Orange victims have overcome adversity to live useful lives. Some have become teachers, artists, musicians, athletes. Some have opened production facilities, creating jobs for people with disabilities.

There are people who, despite their physical disabilities, still travel everywhere telling their life stories, inspiring the community to live positively. These people not only overcome their fate, but also light up hope for many others in the same situation.

We often think that helping Agent Orange victims is a charitable act. But in fact, it is also a duty. Because the war has ended, but its consequences still remain in every human cell, every uncultivated field, every undigested river. We owe the soldiers and the people who sacrificed for peace today a complete gratitude - not only in remembrance, but also in concrete actions.

Our government has had many policies to support victims of Agent Orange: social assistance, free medical examination and treatment, vocational training support, job creation, etc. Associations, unions, and businesses have also joined in. But in reality, there are still gaps. Many victims have not had full access to policies. Many localities still lack facilities for care and rehabilitation. Many poor families still struggle every day with medicine, hospital, and living expenses.

And there is an even bigger gap - that of justice. Over the past 60 years, despite the tireless efforts of Vietnam and many international organizations, to date, there has been no legal ruling forcing American chemical companies and the US Government to officially take responsibility for compensating Vietnamese victims. Many lawsuits have been dismissed. Many victims have died in silence. Justice for them should not be something far away. It must be an obvious truth.

But even though justice is late, we must not give up. For if we give up, we will be inadvertently admitting that the pain does not need to be heard. If we remain silent, we will be letting a dark chapter of history slip into oblivion - something no nation that has experienced war should do.

August 10 is therefore not just a day of remembrance. It is a day for each person to reflect on themselves - what have they done for those living with the pain of Agent Orange? Have they listened, understood, and shared enough? Are they ready to open their arms to embrace a life with disabilities without pity or alienation?

And further, it is a day to remind people of the value of peace, of kindness, of humanity. Because no one is born wanting to be a victim. No one chooses a defective body. But everyone deserves to live, to be loved, to be given opportunities. And we - those who are healthy and whole - can do that for them, every day.

DUC ANH

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/xa-hoi/202508/khong-chi-la-mot-ngay-ky-niem-1047806/