Shining with the spirit of a soldier in peacetime.

In Hung Viet commune, Cam Khe district, everyone knows about veteran Nguyen Duc An, a disabled veteran of category 3/4, because he always embodies the spirit and traditional character of "Uncle Ho's soldiers." He is not only a veteran who excels in business, but also a shining example in local movements and activities.

Despite his advanced age, veteran Nguyen Duc An continues to uphold the spirit of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in all local activities.

Despite having reached a venerable age, veteran Nguyen Duc An still enjoys good health, agility, and mental sharpness. He shared with us his memories of a time of war and sacrifice.

In 1953, at the age of 16, he was already enlightened by revolutionary ideals and participated in propaganda activities to resist the French. In early 1959, heeding the sacred call of the Fatherland, young Nguyen Duc An volunteered to enlist and fight in the Dien Bien Phu battlefield. Then, in July 1959, he transferred to Laos. In October 1962, Mr. An was discharged from the army and began working at the Phu Tho State-owned Film Enterprise under the Department of Culture, now the Cultural and Film Center of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. During his time there, he continuously learned about professional skills and techniques to successfully complete his assigned tasks and serve the cultural needs of the people in the province. In August 1968, he volunteered to re-enlist and fight in the Southeast region. In 1972, during a fierce battle, he was seriously wounded, with multiple shrapnel fragments lodged in his head, back, and neck. At the end of 1974, he was transferred to the North, returning to work at the Department of Culture (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), and in 1990 he retired and lived in his hometown of Tinh Cuong commune, now Hung Viet commune, Cam Khe district.

Veteran Nguyen Duc An recalled: “During the fierce war years, fighting for the independence of the nation, no matter how difficult or arduous the circumstances, with the spirit of a revolutionary soldier, I was always determined to overcome them. When I retired and returned to my hometown, although my wounds frequently recurred, due to the difficult family circumstances at that time and the poverty of the people in the area, I was aware of the situation and decided to change my mindset, innovate, and strive for development.”

Veteran Nguyen Duc An actively participates in economic development, creating jobs for many local workers.

Recognizing the favorable local conditions for aquaculture development, veteran Nguyen Duc An bid for rice paddies to raise fish. After some time, seeing the increasing demand for construction materials in the area, he boldly shifted his production model to the construction materials sector. In 2005, veteran Nguyen Duc An established Thien An Co., Ltd., specializing in the production of handmade bricks. However, during the production process, he realized the model was not environmentally friendly, so he redirected his investment to facilities and equipment to produce tunnel kiln bricks using vertical kiln technology. Since its inception, Thien An Co., Ltd. has supplied an average of 10 million bricks to the market annually. Thanks to good quality, attractive designs, and reasonable prices, the company has found regular customers both within and outside the district and province. As a result, the company has created regular jobs for 26 local workers with salaries of 6-7 million VND per person per month.

Not only is he productive and successful in business, but veteran Nguyen Duc An also enthusiastically participates in social activities and emulation movements launched by the local authorities. Veteran Nguyen Duc An shared: “Although I am old, my spirit has not diminished. The will of a soldier of Uncle Ho remains intact within me. I have never allowed myself to rest; I still participate in managing production at the company every day.”

Continuing the family tradition, the only son of veteran Nguyen Duc An, along with his grandchildren, always accompanies and supports his father and grandfather in their business endeavors, and consistently sets a good example in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations, and local regulations. With his tireless efforts on all fronts, both in peacetime and wartime, veteran Nguyen Duc An deserves the titles bestowed upon him by the Party and State: the Glorious Soldier Medal, First, Second, and Third Class; the Liberation Soldier Medal, Second and Third Class; the Anti-American Resistance Medal, First Class; the Vietnam Veteran Commemorative Medal; the Commemorative Medal for the Cause of Cinema, along with many other Certificates of Merit and Commendations.

Sunshine

Source: https://baophutho.vn/toa-sang-chat-linh-giua-thoi-binh-232024.htm