In her house in Son Kien commune, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhat vividly remembers the day her comrades came to help build her new home. Both she and her husband are war invalids, having struggled for many years in their old, dilapidated house. When the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Veterans Association of the province mobilized support of 70 million VND to build a new house, she was so moved that she lost sleep for many nights. “This house represents the camaraderie of our comrades. During the war, we braved bombs and bullets together, and now in our old age, we support each other,” Mrs. Nhat said, her eyes welling up with tears.
The Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Traditional Association of the province visits its members. Photo: TRUC LINH
Mr. Luu Xuan Nghi, Chairman of the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Veterans Association of An Giang province, said that in the early days of establishing the Truong Son Soldiers Liaison Committee in the former Kien Giang province, the number of members was only over 50, mainly in Rach Gia, Chau Thanh, Tan Hiep, and Hon Dat districts. In 2014, the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Veterans Association of Kien Giang province was officially established. After the administrative unit merger, the Association changed its name to the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Veterans Association of An Giang province. To date, the association has 269 members active in many localities throughout the province.
Over the years, the association has helped build four new houses for members facing housing difficulties and repaired seven dilapidated houses. Some houses were built with contributions from fellow members' savings, while others received additional support from benefactors. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi, residing in Son Kien commune, received 70 million VND to build a new house. In the Kien Hai special zone, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh and Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan received support to build houses from contributions by association members. "Many members are elderly and their health is declining, but they still try to share with each other little by little. Some contribute labor, some contribute money, and some mobilize additional resources so that their comrades have decent housing in their old age," said Mr. Luu Xuan Nghi.
Besides building houses, members also contribute money to open savings accounts for members in difficult circumstances, visit those who are sick, and offer help and encouragement during times of bereavement. Mr. Pham Van Do, a member of the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Veterans Association of the province, residing in Rach Gia ward, shared: "Every July 27th or on the traditional day, the veterans meet and reminisce about old times until noon or even afternoon."
In May, leading up to the anniversary of the opening of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Tradition Association of the province visited Mr. Dao Van Chuyen, a 65-year-old Party member and a soldier who served along the Truong Son trail, on Route 9 in Southern Laos and in the Laotian battlefield, residing in Rach Gia ward. Despite his advanced age and slower pace, Mr. Chuyen vividly remembers every stretch of the trail, every march, and every comrade who shared those brutal years with him. Clasping Mr. Luu Xuan Nghi's hand, Mr. Chuyen advised: "While you're still healthy, try to keep the association going so that we have a place to meet and reconnect. The younger generation doesn't know all the stories of the past; as long as we can still tell them, we must."
According to Mr. Luu Xuan Nghi, many members are now involved in grassroots work. Mr. Nghi said: "The members are all getting old now, some have leg pain, some have back pain, some have difficulty walking, but whenever they hear that a comrade is in trouble, they always come to each other's aid."
TRUC LINH
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nghia-tinh-cuu-chien-binh-thoi-binh-a485934.html
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