At nearly 80 years old, Mr. Hoang Quang Minh, from Block 8, Tam Thanh Ward, still carries shrapnel from the war within his body – silent "witnesses" that remind him of an unforgettable time on the battlefield.
According to Mr. Minh's account, in April 1964, answering the sacred call of the Fatherland, he left his hometown to enlist in the army. After training, he was selected to join the special forces – the army's elite special combat force. In 1967, he marched to the Central battlefield, participating in combat in Da Nang - Quang Nam. In 1969, during a battle, while retreating with his comrades, Mr. Minh's special forces unit unexpectedly fell into an enemy ambush. Bombs exploded and bullets flew fiercely. Unfortunately, he was hit by a bullet in his hand, causing him to lose his right index finger. Despite being seriously wounded, he continued to fight alongside his comrades, shooting down an enemy before being rescued by his fellow soldiers.
The war is long over, but its scars remain in Mr. Minh's body. He was exposed to Agent Orange and suffered war-related injuries. For the past 57 years, a shrapnel fragment has remained under his right arm, surgically removed due to the risk of paralysis. For him, that shrapnel fragment is both a source of physical pain and an indelible battlefield memory. "When the weather changes, it aches and throbs, and no medicine can cure it, but I've gotten used to it," Mr. Minh shared.
Like Mr. Minh, Mr. Pham Minh Thu (An Tri village, Khanh Khe commune) is still living with 13 bomb fragments remaining in his body, a testament to the fierce fighting in the Central Highlands in 1973. Returning from the war with a 37% disability, these fragments have silently affected his health for many years. Whenever the weather changes, the old wounds ache, and his body feels tired, making daily life and work difficult. Many fragments are deeply embedded in his body and cannot be surgically removed due to the potential health risks, so he has had to accept living with them for decades. Recalling those years, Mr. Thu thoughtfully shared, "These bomb fragments have been in my body for more than half a century. Every time the weather changes, it hurts, but I am fortunate to have survived and returned home, much luckier than many comrades who perished on the battlefield."
For Mr. Minh and Mr. Thu, the shrapnel is not just physical injury, but also a memory of their youth fighting on the fierce battlefield. The stories of these two veterans are clear evidence of the devastating consequences of bombs, mines, and other weapons of war, even decades after the war ended. The shrapnel remaining in their bodies, the persistent wounds that linger over the years, not only cause pain but also serve as a reminder of the war's lingering effects on people's health and lives.
Mr. Nong Long An, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Veterans Association, said: Currently, the province has over 35,400 members, including 162 members who participated in the resistance war against France and over 7,100 members who participated in the war against the US. Among these, 462 members bear the scars and lingering effects of wartime bombs and bullets. In recent years, the associations at all levels in the province have always paid attention to caring for the lives of their members, especially wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, and victims of Agent Orange. Through activities of camaraderie and mutual support, the association regularly visits members when they are sick, supports the repair and construction of houses for comrades in difficult circumstances; and coordinates with relevant departments and organizations to mobilize resources and create conditions for members to borrow capital to develop their economy and stabilize their lives. This contributes to improving the material and spiritual lives of our members, especially those veterans with war injuries and the lingering effects of Agent Orange from the resistance wars.
The stories of war veterans not only remind us of the devastating consequences of bombs, mines, and the remnants of war, but also contribute to educating today's younger generation about our traditions. Although the war ended decades ago, the shrapnel still embedded in the bodies of soldiers remains clear evidence of the losses it left behind. Through their memories, young people better understand the sacrifices of their forefathers, thereby fostering gratitude, national pride, and an awareness of the importance of cherishing and preserving peace.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/nhung-vet-thuong-con-lai-sau-chien-tranh-5085126.html
