The wounds are still aching and haven't healed!

Comrade Truong Van Binh, Deputy Director of the center, shared with emotion: “In recent years, thanks to the attention of leaders at all levels and the whole society, the material and spiritual lives of wounded and sick soldiers at the center have improved significantly. The care and treatment work of the center's staff has also become less difficult and arduous than before. However, because this is a center for treating severely wounded and sick soldiers, with most having a disability rate of 81% or higher, and many of them suffering from spinal injuries, the physical pain remains immense. Especially during periods of erratic weather and seasonal changes, a few days before, the pain returns relentlessly, causing even the most resilient individuals to grimace. Looking at them at those times, we, the staff, cannot hold back our tears.”

The wounded and disabled veterans were deeply moved by the gift-giving ceremony.

Mr. Binh further revealed that the Thuan Thanh War Invalids Rehabilitation Center (under the Department of War Invalids and Martyrs, Ministry of Interior ) is the unit that provides care and treatment for the largest number of severely wounded and sick soldiers, with the highest rate of severe injuries. After more than 60 years of construction and development, the center has received, managed, cared for, treated, and rehabilitated more than 1,000 severely wounded and sick soldiers injured in various battlefields, from almost all provinces across the country.

Representatives from the Army Youth Committee presented gifts to the center and the wounded and sick soldiers receiving treatment there.

After a period of rest and treatment, many wounded and sick soldiers have stabilized their injuries, partially recovered their health and working capacity, and expressed a desire to return home for further convalescence. The remaining veterans, due to severe injuries and difficult family circumstances or being single-parent households, stayed to live and receive treatment at the center.

Currently, the unit is managing, caring for, treating, and implementing policies for 84 severely wounded and sick soldiers of category 1/4 (with a disability rate of 81% to 100%), including 50 who were wounded during the resistance war against the US.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quang Huy, Head of the Army Youth Committee, presents gifts and encourages severely wounded soldiers.

Upon further investigation, I learned that at the center, 90% of the patients suffered spinal injuries, resulting in hemiplegia and requiring wheelchairs or mobility aids; many also suffered multiple injuries such as amputation of both arms or legs, and blindness. Due to the aftereffects of spinal injuries, many patients experienced muscle atrophy and loss of sensation in the lower half of their bodies, rendering them completely dependent on the center's staff for daily activities. As a result of their injuries, many also developed additional health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, hepatitis B and C, urinary tract infections, and back ulcers.

Some patients still have shrapnel or pellets lodged in their spines or heads, so whenever the weather changes, the old wounds cause excruciating pain, triggering seizures and affecting their meals and sleep. Some patients, due to severe injuries, large ulcers, and weakened health, are unable to get out of the vehicle and have to remain in bed year-round, requiring 24/7 care and assistance from family members or staff…

The unwavering courage and resilience of Uncle Ho's soldiers!

Following brief speeches at the gift-giving ceremony, in the central hall where almost all the wounded and sick soldiers living and receiving treatment were gathered, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quang Huy, Head of the Youth Committee, and Colonel Nguyen Van Ninh, Deputy Head of the Army Youth Committee, approached the wheelchairs and mobility scooters, going to each veteran's seat to inquire about their well-being, chat with them, encourage them, and present meaningful gifts. Despite still suffering from the pain of their wounds, the wounded and sick soldiers endured the pain, enthusiastically responded to the conversation, and expressed their special appreciation and respect.

Mr. Le Duc Luan, Head of the Council of Wounded and Sick Soldiers, speaking on behalf of the wounded and sick soldiers, expressed his appreciation for the gratitude shown by the young people of the Army.

Mr. Tran Danh Phuc, 70 years old, a disabled veteran of category 1/4, originally from Que Vo ward, Bac Ninh province, has been associated with the center for nearly 50 years and currently lives with his wife. After receiving gifts from the Army Youth Committee, he clasped the hand of Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quang Huy and confided: “On this occasion, we have received many delegations visiting and giving gifts. But, seeing the delegation from the Army youth, I felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside me, because it reminded me of the days when I was a young man fighting on the battlefield with fervent and passionate spirit. That was the most beautiful time of my life!”

Speaking on behalf of the wounded and sick soldiers living and receiving treatment at the center, Mr. Le Duc Luan, 72 years old, Head of the Council of Wounded and Sick Soldiers, sitting in a wheelchair with the resolute gaze of a former anti-aircraft artillery soldier, could not hide his emotion: “We sincerely thank the younger generation for their gratitude towards the soldiers who were unfortunately wounded and have to be treated here. In return for this sincere care and gratitude, we will try our best to receive treatment, rest, overcome the pain of illness and physical suffering, and strive to live long enough to witness more achievements and development of the country and the heroic Vietnamese People's Army.”

Officers from the Army Youth Committee visited, presented gifts to, and encouraged wounded soldier Pham Xuan Van in his room.

After firm handshakes, warm greetings, and heartfelt exchanges in the hall, we went to the rooms of some severely wounded veterans who were too weak to move, to offer encouragement and gifts. When we arrived at the private room of Mr. Pham Xuan Van, 78 years old, from Hai Phong City, a first-class wounded veteran with 91% loss of working capacity, he was lying facing inwards. Upon seeing the delegation, he tried to turn around and sit up. Seeing this, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quang Huy and Colonel Nguyen Van Ninh immediately approached him and urged him to remain lying down to avoid aggravating his injuries.

Due to pain and poor health, Mr. Van could barely speak, mainly expressing his emotions through his eyes and a tight handshake. Mrs. Vu Thi Hien, 77 years old, his wife who had been with him since their youth, and with whom he had served in the army together, recounted with emotion: “He was wounded in Khe Sanh during the war against the Americans. He’s been here for over 40 years. The weather has changed these past few days, and the pain is unbearable. Seeing the delegation arrive, he was very happy, trying to suppress the pain to chat with the Army youth group.”

Uncle Nguyen Van The clasped hands and instructed the officers of the Army Youth Committee to always uphold and promote the noble qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the new era.

Upon arriving at the room of Mr. Nguyen Van The, an 81-year-old war invalid from Nam Dinh province, a 91% disability rating, who has lived alone here for 40 years, we were truly amazed by the optimistic spirit of this soldier who had participated in the Tet Offensive and fought alongside his comrades in the attack on Hue City in 1968. After listening to him recount his combat experiences in a voice that was sometimes deep and powerful, sometimes sharp and concise, one of the officers in the delegation jokingly asked, "Your voice is so warm, you must have sung very well before you were injured, right?" Hearing this, he smiled, gestured for the rhythm, and immediately began singing "Singing the Military March Forever" with a heroic and vibrant voice, as if his youthful days on the battlefield were coming back to life. After a while, perhaps due to a recurrence of pain, seeing his face slightly contorted, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quang Huy signaled the officers in the delegation to stop clapping and singing along so that he could stop.

In a touching moment, Uncle Ho clasped the hands of the Army Youth Committee members and instructed them: "You are young, you must strive even harder to build the Army and the country to become stronger, more beautiful, and more prosperous!" In response to his words, all the members of the delegation replied, "Yes, sir!" with teary eyes...!!!

Text and photos: VAN CHIEN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/rung-rung-ve-lai-thuan-thanh-838762