July is the month to return to our roots | baoninhbinh.org.vn

Having been informed about a free medical examination and medication distribution for war veterans in the area, organized by Brigade 279 in coordination with the Military Medical Department of the Engineering Corps, Mr. Nguyen Van Thu, from Lien Minh village, Xich Tho commune (Nho Quan district), was delighted and arrived very early. Mr. Thu was guided by doctors and nurses through the necessary tests.

"It's been a long time since I had a health check-up because my house is far from the district health center. Today, I'm very happy to have the doctors come to my house for a check-up. Fortunately, my health is very stable. The doctors have given me thorough advice on a balanced diet and lifestyle that suits my physical condition. This is a very meaningful activity that warms the hearts of war invalids like us, especially during these days in July," Mr. Thu said emotionally.

Besides caring for the families of war veterans during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), Mr. Thu said that in recent years, war veterans have received great attention from the Party, the State, and the province. Mr. Thu is both a war invalid with 61% disability and a war wounded with 51% loss of health. Instead of only receiving the highest level of allowance as before, since the beginning of 2023, Mr. Thu has been receiving both war invalid and war invalid allowances simultaneously, in accordance with Decree No. 131/2021/ND-CP, dated December 30, 2021, on detailed regulations and measures for implementing the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for People with Meritorious Contributions to the Revolution. In total, Mr. Thu currently receives nearly 6 million VND per month from these two allowances.

With an increased income despite his advanced age and declining health, Mr. Thu no longer has to worry about finances and feels very secure. He happily shared: "Especially recently, the Provincial People's Council also passed a Resolution on the issuance of a policy to support concentrated health rehabilitation for people with meritorious services to the revolution and relatives of martyrs in the province. Accordingly, when people with meritorious services and relatives of martyrs undergo concentrated rehabilitation, in addition to the funding provided by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, our province will also provide support at a rate of 1 million VND/person/rehabilitation period. This policy once again affirms the very practical concern of the Party, the State, and the province for people with meritorious services to the revolution."

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Cong, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 279, Engineering Corps, stated: "Over the years, the 'Gratitude and Repayment' work has always been a priority for the unit. Many outstanding activities such as building houses of gratitude, caring for Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, giving gifts, providing healthcare for meritorious individuals in the area where the unit is stationed, and maintaining martyrs' cemeteries... have become regular and continuous activities, attracting the active participation of officers and soldiers throughout the unit."

To commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs, Brigade 279 coordinated a program to provide free medical examinations and medicine to over 100 war veterans in Xich Tho commune. This activity not only contributes to the healthcare of war veterans but also educates and fosters revolutionary ideals and the principle of "remembering the source when drinking water" among officers and soldiers.

From the beginning of July, the Nho Quan Rehabilitation Center for Wounded Soldiers has received visits from many agencies, units, organizations, and individuals who came to visit, give gifts, and express gratitude to the wounded and sick soldiers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Love Connection Club, shared: "This year, I was able to return to the Center to visit and express my gratitude to the seriously wounded and sick veterans. I am very happy that their health is stable, and they can remember and share many memories with us about the wartime years. For me, gratitude and remembrance are not just about concrete actions through policies, gifts, visits, and encouragement… but also about reminding myself to live a life truly worthy of the noble sacrifices of those who have fallen or dedicated a part of their blood and bones to the Fatherland."

Many organizations and individuals visited and presented gifts to express their gratitude to the wounded and sick soldiers being cared for at the Nho Quan Rehabilitation Center for Wounded Soldiers.

Mr. Dao Thanh Hai, Director of the Nho Quan War Invalids Rehabilitation Center, said: Many organizations and individuals regularly carry out meaningful and touching activities for war invalids and sick soldiers. For example, the Ninh Binh Hair and Skin Club visits, cuts hair, and organizes cultural programs to boost the morale of war invalids and sick soldiers from the 1st to the 5th of each month…

The Center also carries out many meaningful activities to commemorate the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs, such as: taking war invalids and sick soldiers to revisit old battlefields; visiting historical sites and paying respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; coordinating with schools to organize trips for the veterans to talk with students during their "Back to the Roots" trips... The war invalids and sick soldiers are very happy and moved to participate in these activities. Given their relatively high average age and the fact that they still carry the burden of wounds and illnesses, such meaningful trips are not easily accomplished many times.

Mr. Duong Viet Yen, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said: "In recent years, in addition to managing and implementing preferential regimes according to State regulations and specific provincial policies, our province has also done well in socializing the work related to war invalids and martyrs. The 'Gratitude and Repayment' movement has spread widely, thereby creating a large resource to implement typical activities such as: caring for war invalids, sick soldiers, and families of martyrs; providing vocational training and creating jobs; welcoming severely wounded soldiers to recuperate at home; building and repairing houses of gratitude; giving savings accounts and household goods of gratitude; creating gardens and fish ponds of gratitude..."

To date, Ninh Binh province no longer has any poor households with members who are war veterans or those who rendered meritorious services to the revolution. This year, on July 27th, along with gifts from the central government, the province also allocated over 8 billion VND to visit and present gifts to war invalids, sick soldiers, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, and families of those who rendered meritorious services to the revolution. Especially in July each year, agencies, units, organizations, and individuals have joined hands to carry out many meaningful and practical activities such as: visiting and giving gifts to war veterans; organizing free medical examinations, consultations, and providing free medicine; and donating houses of gratitude… These meaningful actions are a deep expression of gratitude from today's generation to those who sacrificed their lives and blood for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

Dao Hang-Minh Quang

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/thang-7-ve-nguon/d2023072510304198.htm