1. Born and raised in a family with a revolutionary tradition (father is martyr Vo Van Bong), Vo Van Xuan's brothers (born in 1944, residing in Vinh Cong commune, Long An province, now Tay Ninh province) were enlightened about the ideal early. Of the family's 5 brothers, 3 participated in the revolution.
“In 1962, I participated in guerrilla activities in An Thanh commune, Ben Luc district. After that, I joined the army and then transferred to destroy special forces. Finally, I was assigned to join Battalion 1 Long An until the day of liberation,” Mr. Xuan recalled.
At the age of 81, Mr. Vo Van Xuan still raises fish to provide food for his family's meals.
According to Mr. Xuan, during the war, there were dangers, shortages, and fragility in life, but people were still determined to die for the Fatherland. Now, at the age of 81, his memory has somewhat decreased, but the memories of the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign are still intact in the heart of this 3/4-class disabled veteran.
Mr. Xuan said: “The main area of operation was in Long An, but in 1975, I participated in the battle at the District 4 Call Center in Saigon, part of the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. During the move to Saigon, we fought and cleared the way for the main force. After attacking and capturing the District 4 Call Center, cutting off enemy communications, we felt peace was coming very close. The country was unified, and I returned to my hometown. The whole village had 36 people following the call of the country, but I was the only one who returned. It was so painful!”
Not long after returning, the Southwestern border war broke out, and he continued to join the fight. In 1979, he completed his service and returned, but his health had declined significantly.
Every time the weather changes, the wartime wounds and metal fragments in his neck cause him pain. However, he still actively participates in local activities, once serving as Chairman of the Commune Veterans Association and many terms as Head of Hamlet 5 until 2018, when he retired due to health reasons. For many years, Mr. Xuan has raised cows and fish to develop his family's economy.
2. At the age of 73, Mr. Pham Xuan Duc (from Thai Binh province (now Hung Yen province), currently residing in Phuoc Vinh commune, has 40 years of experience in revolutionary and social activities in the locality. At the age of 18 , following the call of the country, he joined the army and marched to the South.
In 1971, he was present at the Kon Tum battlefield. For 5 years, he fought with his comrades to the death, often enduring the "chemical rain" sprayed by the enemy, but he remained steadfast and determined to fight to gain independence for his homeland and the Fatherland.
War invalid Pham Xuan Duc (2nd from left) recounts the war years with his comrades.
In November 1976, he was discharged from the army and chose Tay Ninh to start a business. Motivated by the leaders of Phuoc Vinh commune, he volunteered to work in the locality. In 1977, he continued to participate in the southwestern border war.
From 1984 until his retirement in 2010, Mr. Duc held many different positions and tasks: Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee and Head of the Commune Police; Vice Chairman of the Commune Party Committee Inspection Committee and Secretary of Hamlet 1 Party Cell, Phuoc Hoa Hamlet Party Cell;...
Mr. Duc said: "I work mainly for responsibility and for the people. To earn income for my family, I reclaim land and cultivate it for farming."
The 4/4-class disabled veteran, who was 68% exposed to toxic chemicals, still worked in the fields in the morning and afternoon to take care of his family. When his third son was born, suffering from the after-effects of dioxin and developing abnormally, he was extremely heartbroken.
The spirit of Uncle Ho's soldier did not allow him to fall, the more difficult it was, the more he had to try to rise up. His land was always covered in green, sometimes with short-term cassava and mung beans, sometimes with sugarcane and cashew. From the first plots of land, he and his wife saved and scrimped to have about 7 hectares of land today.
Despite a life of hardship, Mr. Duc has never forgotten his old comrades. He returned to the old battlefield, contacted the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the former Military Command of Kon Tum Province, hoping to find the names of his comrades in the cemetery and light incense sticks in memory of them. But all information is still vague.
“Since 1990, I have received social benefits for war invalids and people infected with toxic chemicals. My son also receives benefits. Each month, the two of us receive about 10 million VND in benefits. My youngest son is currently working at a border post. I feel very lucky and happy! Because after the war, many of my comrades fell and have not been found yet," Mr. Duc shared sadly.
Returning with an unhealed body after the war but overcoming the pain, Mr. Vo Van Xuan and Mr. Pham Van Duc still radiated the will of war invalids./.
Ngoc Dieu - Thanh Dung
Source: https://baolongan.vn/vuot-len-noi-dau-toa-sang-y-chi-nguoi-thuong-binh-a199443.html
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