"Sweet fruit" of the veteran

Mr. Tran Thanh Phong competes in amateur music at an art performance organized by the city's Retirement Club.

The first time we met him was when he performed a traditional music performance in an art competition organized by the Can Tho City Retirement Club. In a blue military uniform, he sang in a deep voice, confidently completing his performance well. The next times we met, sometimes he participated in a chess competition, sometimes he was busy giving gifts to Agent Orange victims... But in our recent meeting, he said that since the 4 wards of Ninh Kieu district, including Thoi Binh, An Nghiep, An Phu, An Cu merged into one, he was no longer the Chairman of the Association of Agent Orange Victims of An Nghiep Ward; his place of residence used to be Area 3, An Nghiep Ward, now also changed to Area 15, Thoi Binh Ward. He shared: "I am 71 years old this year, it is time to rest and spend more time on hobbies such as art and chess".

Mr. Phong was born into a family with a revolutionary tradition in Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province. At the age of 15, he was selected to study radio and was then assigned to work at the Southwest Region Party Committee. Working in the revolutionary base for many years, he was also exposed to Agent Orange sprayed by the enemy in the forests. After liberation, he continued to work in different provinces and cities, in different positions, according to the dispatch of his superiors. In particular, from 1980-1983, he was sent to Cambodia to help the neighboring country restore the communication system and train new radio staff. Upon returning to Vietnam, he was sent to university and then sent to ships to other countries, in charge of radio and information on ships for 10 years. After that, he worked at Can Tho River and Sea Transport Joint Stock Company until his retirement in 2012.

At this time, he joined the city's Retirement Club with many exciting activities. Realizing that many members loved and had a talent for amateur music, he proposed to establish the Amateur Music Club to create a wider playground for people with the same interest. The club was quickly established and has been maintained for many years. Every Friday afternoon, the club meets regularly and has increasingly attracted more participants. The club not only provides entertainment services for events and conferences of the Retirement Club but also participates in exchanges with many Amateur Music Clubs of communes, wards, districts and counties in and outside Can Tho City; contributing to promoting the development and spread of the Amateur Music movement. Mr. Phong is a core member of the Amateur Music Club and has achieved many high achievements in competitions, performances or actively participates in exchanges with other clubs. Before retiring, he represented the company in the art performance organized by Vinashine Group and won a Silver medal for the traditional singing performance and a Bronze medal for the poetry recitation performance. In addition to art performances, he also actively participated in activities of the Veterans Association and the local Association of Agent Orange Victims.

Regarding his family, after 42 years of marriage, what he is proud of is that both he and his wife have shared hardships, love, and understand each other to build a complete family. Mr. Phong confided: “During the 10 years I worked at sea, my wife took care of the children and the family. When I came ashore, my wife and I worked together in everything, so the family was always warm and harmonious, and the children studied and became successful.” His two children, a girl and a boy, both graduated from university, have stable jobs and families. Mr. Phong himself likes and has a talent for cooking, so he often cooks for his family, including his mother-in-law and his biological mother. Both are now 95 years old and healthy and clear-minded. Mrs. Lam Thi Be, Mr. Phong's wife, said: "I am an only child, so my husband and I take care of my mother. Mr. Phong's mother lives with his younger brother. But the two houses are close to each other, so Mr. Phong runs back and forth to take care of the two elders. Over the past decades, we have maintained family happiness by loving, understanding and giving in to each other, together overcoming the most difficult times to have the warm home we have today."

52 years of Party membership and many resistance medals, certificates of merit, and certificates of merit at all levels are the results of Mr. Phong's years of dedication to the revolution and his career. And family happiness is the "sweet fruit" of his old age.

Article and photos: LE THU

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/-trai-ngot-cua-nguoi-cuu-chien-binh-a184991.html