Gratitude and affection

Nearly 50 years ago, Mr. Nguyen Van Cu (68 years old) joined the army and fought against Pol Pot's forces in the Cambodian battlefield and the southwestern border. In 1981, he was discharged and returned to live in Ea Kuang commune (now Ea Phe commune), where he served in the commune's police force and did social work. Difficulties struck his family when he suffered a stroke, severely impairing his mobility. His physical pain was compounded by the emotional burden of his daughter-in-law leaving, abandoning their two young grandchildren for them to care for. Overwhelmed by hardship, they had to sell their house to make ends meet and rent a place to live. Fortunately, a kind resident of Phuoc Tan 2 village took them in and offered them shelter.

Understanding the difficult circumstances of their comrade, at the beginning of 2025, the Veterans Association of Ea Kuang commune (formerly) launched a fundraising campaign to support Mr. Nguyen Van Cu in having stable housing. Of this, nearly 34 million VND was contributed by veteran members alone; agencies, units, businesses, and households inside and outside the commune also contributed nearly 44 million VND; and a younger sibling of Mr. Cu gave him a portion of land to build a new house. Thanks to this collective effort, in March 2025, a new house with an area of 80 ^m² was completed, bringing immeasurable joy to the whole family.

Veterans and association members share the joy of their new home with Mr. Nguyen Van Cu (second from the right).

War invalid Nguyen Vuong Vu (69 years old) was one of the young people who, following the general mobilization order, enlisted in the army in 1979 and was assigned to the 26th Signal Battalion, 309th Division. During a military operation, he was injured by a landmine, leaving him with numerous wounds (later classified as a 22% war invalid), and his health gradually deteriorated over the years. In 1983, he was discharged from the army and returned to his hometown, but the burden of making a living forced his family to move several times. Currently, he and his wife are living with relatives in Ea M'Droh commune.

Given the difficult circumstances of his family, the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) provided the family with 80 million VND to build a house of compassion, hoping to contribute to a stable and safe life for his family, and to help him live happily and healthily in his old age.

In Pok B hamlet, Quang Phu commune, the story of Mr. Y Wuu Hwing (56 years old) has moved many people. In his youth, he participated in the crackdown on FULRO (Federal Liberation Army) and served in the local militia. During a mission in the remote, dangerous jungle, Mr. Y Wuu Hwing was bitten by an unknown animal, causing severe gangrene in both of his legs, requiring daily treatment. Now, in his old age, with declining health and his wife and children lacking stable employment, the entire family lives in a dilapidated, rickety wooden house built 30 years ago.

Understanding their plight, the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army promptly provided the family with 80 million VND to build a house. He shared: "Seeing the new house gradually taking shape, my wife and I are very happy. We are looking forward to a stable and peaceful home for our old age."

This year in Dak Lak, the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army provided 1 billion VND to build 5 "Houses of Gratitude" (for war veterans, relatives of martyrs, and wounded soldiers) and 10 houses for poor and near-poor households in the area. Not only did they provide funding, but with the authorization of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and the 5th Military Region Command, the Provincial Military Command requested agencies and units within the armed forces to provide additional funding and labor to support the construction of the houses for the beneficiaries. Despite the difficulties, the armed forces units of the province took turns directly supervising and monitoring the progress of the construction, and providing labor support. All of this aimed to ensure fair implementation, targeting the right beneficiaries, ensuring resources reach the right people, and maximizing effectiveness.

Officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces visited and monitored the progress of the house construction for Mr. Y Wưu Hwing.

Mr. Nguyen Van Than, head of Pok B village, shared that Mr. Y Wuu Hwing's family is one of the most disadvantaged households in the village. Therefore, along with the support of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ea Pok town (formerly) also provided an additional 40 million VND. Besides material assistance, villagers also regularly visit to encourage, chat with, and provide financial support, advice on materials, and assistance with leveling the ground and digging the foundation, helping the family reduce the financial burden, especially during periods of high material prices.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Thanh, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Ea Phe commune, also said that after the merger of the three communes of Ea Phe (old), Ea Kuang, and Ea Hiu, the new Ea Phe commune currently has 820 veteran members, many of whom are facing economic and housing difficulties. Continuing to work together to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, the Veterans Association of the commune will coordinate surveys of the conditions, circumstances, and aspirations of its members and their families; and at the same time, mobilize resources to expand humanitarian projects and activities, helping their comrades feel more secure and stable in their lives.

Heartwarming stories of loving and caring homes continue to unfold every day. This is clear evidence of the strength of the community, of the Vietnamese spirit of "helping those in need" and "remembering one's roots."

Quynh Anh - Dinh Nga

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202507/nghia-tinh-tri-an-c961a86/