The veteran remains deeply attached to his hometown of Quang Tri.

QTO - In July 2025, 72-year-old veteran Le Minh Cam, from Hoa Binh village, Cua Tung commune, had the honor of being one of eight delegates from Quang Tri province to attend a meeting of meritorious individuals and exemplary historical witnesses, organized by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi. Returning from the meeting with many unforgettable emotions, Mr. Cam recounted his proud 15-year journey in the military. Now, meeting again in a different context, he spoke of the joy after nearly 40 years of participating in social work and serving as a community leader. For veteran Le Minh Cam, although Quang Tri is not his birthplace, it has become his second home, where he has dedicated his entire life to living, fighting, and contributing.

In May 1972, upholding the revolutionary traditions of his hometown, Truc Lam commune, Tinh Gia district (now Truc Lam ward), Thanh Hoa province, Le Minh Cam, then just 19 years old, volunteered to enlist in the army. The war was fierce, and there was an urgent need for reinforcements for the Southern battlefield. After only one month of rapid training at Company 10, Battalion 661, Regiment 14, Thanh Hoa Provincial Military Command, in June 1972, Cam's unit was deployed to Quang Tri, assigned to Company 16, Regiment 95, Division 325. Cam and his comrades directly participated in the liberation of Quang Tri in 1972; the Central Highlands campaign in March 1975; and the Ho Chi Minh campaign in April 1975. From 1978 to 1987, he continued to participate in the Southwestern border campaign, and later fought to defend the Fatherland on the Northern border.

Mr. Cam recounted that during his years of fighting, the Quang Tri battlefield was the most arduous and fierce. He didn't know how many of his comrades had bravely sacrificed their lives. He was fortunate; although he was wounded many times, his unit discovered him and transported him for timely medical treatment, allowing him to survive. His most serious injury occurred in the Cambodian battlefield in February 1979, when he volunteered to guide his unit in an attack on Hill 24 to hunt down remnants of Pol Pot's forces who had taken refuge in the forest.

Veteran Le Minh Cam (on the right) promotes and encourages people to effectively implement the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State - Photo: NT

“After more than two hours of fighting, having been wounded by enemy shrapnel in my neck and leg, I was so preoccupied with finding my way to the battle position to check on my comrades that I didn't realize I was injured. It wasn't until my vision blurred and I couldn't hear any sounds outside, only hearing myself calling out my comrades' names, that I felt blood flowing profusely from my neck and leg. Only then did I realize I had been hit by shrapnel. I thought I wouldn't survive, but my comrades rushed me to the hospital, and it took me two months of recovery,” Mr. Cam recalled.

For his contributions to the cause of national liberation, building and defending the Fatherland, veteran Le Minh Cam was awarded the Glorious Soldier Medal, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class; the Liberation Soldier Medal, 2nd class; and the Anti-American Resistance Medal, 3rd class by the Party and State.

Living and fighting in the war-torn land of Quang Tri, in 1977, Mr. Cam had the good fortune to meet a teacher from Hoa Binh village, Hien Thanh commune (now Hoa Binh village, Cua Tung commune), who worked in Cam Lo commune, and they married in 1980. This is also the reason why, after being discharged from the army in 1987, Mr. Cam decided to continue his connection with his homeland of Quang Tri. Returning to civilian life, despite declining health, being a 44% disabled veteran and a 71% sick veteran, and facing many difficulties, Mr. Cam always remained optimistic, diligent, finding joy in labor, and striving to overcome difficulties and develop the economy.

Leveraging the advantages of local agricultural production, he actively learned and invested in key crops such as rice, pepper, and rubber to increase his family's income. This enabled him to raise three children who went to university and achieved success. Notably, with his responsibility and reputation, always leading in emulation movements launched by organizations, associations, and the locality, during the period 1989-2000, Mr. Cam was successively elected as a village police officer, Head of the Veterans' Association Branch, and Head of the Farmers' Association Branch.

After that, he served two terms as village head and, from 2014 to the present, has been the head of the Elderly Association. Mr. Cam shared: “I always believe that being able to return unharmed from the fierce war is a great blessing compared to many of my comrades. Veterans like us always receive attention and support from the Party and the State, so over the years, I have continuously strived, first and foremost to take good care of my family, and more importantly, to continue contributing to building my homeland and living a meaningful life.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Quan, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Cua Tung commune, added: “Throughout his years living in Hien Thanh commune, now Cua Tung commune, in every task, veteran Le Minh Cam was enthusiastic, dedicated, and dynamic, making important contributions to improving the quality of activities and promoting the widespread dissemination of campaigns and movements of the association, organizations, and residential areas. Veteran Le Minh Cam is a shining example, receiving many commendations from the Party Committee, People's Committee, and Veterans Association of the commune, and is also an individual representing the local veterans who has participated in many major programs and events organized by the former Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, and the Central Government.”

With 72 years of life, 53 years of Party membership, a youth devoted to the revolution, and outstanding performance as a soldier, veterans like Mr. Le Minh Cam, upon discharge, have persevered in their work and contributions, further enhancing the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the hearts of the people.

Duc Viet - Nguyen Trang

 

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202512/nguoi-cuu-chien-binh-gan-bo-voi-que-huong-quang-tri-2334992/