Behind the white headscarves
In a small grocery store in Phuoc Hai commune (Ho Chi Minh City), Ms. Le Thi Loan (born in 1974) gently wiped away tears as she recalled the tragedy of 2018. That year, on a day of rough seas, her husband never returned after a fateful fishing trip.
While her two children were still young (one in 7th grade, the other in 4th grade), and she had nowhere to turn for support, in 2022, a "death sentence" of cancer struck her. As the primary breadwinner, and facing a life-threatening illness, she helplessly watched her two children, who were at the age of eating and studying, go about their lives. Her eldest daughter, Nguyen Le Hong Ngan, despite being accepted into her dream university, had to put her dream on hold to attend a school closer to home. Unable to do heavy labor, Ms. Loan helped a relative sell groceries to make ends meet. In the same village as Ms. Loan, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet Ngau (born in 1992) also shared a similar tragedy. Leaving her hometown in Central Vietnam to start a new life in Vung Tau, her happiness was short-lived when her husband died on a fishing trip in 2022, leaving behind a young wife and four young children. Ms. Ngau single-handedly toiled from early morning until late at night selling bread from her cart, struggling to support her entire family.
Protecting his child with a soldier's uniform.
During difficult times, Brigade 171 brought much hope to the family. Nguyen Le Phat Loc (born in 2008, Loan's son) and Nguyen Tuan Anh (born in 2011, Ngau's son) became the Brigade's children, sponsored by the unit until they turn 18. Each month, 500,000 to 1 million VND might not be a large sum for many, but for poor families living along the coast, it's money for books and school supplies, a meal with meat, and immeasurable comfort... and more than material things, it's the presence of family love. "When I was undergoing cancer treatment, the cost exceeded 100 million VND. Besides neighbors, the soldiers came to visit and provide support. On holidays, New Year's Day, and the first day of school, they always brought gifts and words of encouragement," Loan shared.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Vu, Political Commissar of Brigade 171, the "Navy Sponsors Fishermen's Children" program is not only a material support but also a practical source of moral encouragement for families to overcome difficult times, helping children have better conditions to continue their studies, training, and growth. The program also contributes to strengthening the solidarity between the military and the people, building a strong and close-knit military base.
For Ms. Ngau, the support of the naval officers and soldiers is like "an extra helping hand" for her family. Every Mid-Autumn Festival or Children's Day, Brigade 171 welcomes the children to play with the children of the officers. "From a withdrawn, grieving child who lost his father, Tuan Anh is now much more active, confident, and understanding," Ms. Ngau shared. Her eyes sparkled with hope as she spoke about her son's dream. "He often whispers to me, 'Mom, I will study hard so that I can become a naval soldier like the officers,'" Ms. Ngau smiled.
And now, the image of naval soldiers is not only associated with ships, firmly holding their weapons to protect sovereignty , but also exists in small houses along the coast, in every page of children's books.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nghia-tinh-nguoi-linh-bien-post843575.html
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