Soldiers and the Dawn After the Orange Darkness

Reporter: Sir, I understand that you have been drafted twice. Could you share a little about your arduous but glorious years of fighting?

Mr. Pham Ba Canh:I was born and raised in Hung Yen Bac commune. Now Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province. In my youth, like many other young men in the village, I always longed to go directly to the battlefield to contribute to protecting the Fatherland. That dream became a reality in 1972, when I was just 19 years old. I was assigned to Regiment 270, Division 341 and participated in fierce battles such as Quang Tri, Route 9 Southern Laos, Khe Sanh, Tay Ninh... or the Ho Chi Minh campaign.

The situation at that time was extremely fierce: Bombs and bullets rained down continuously, many battles took place in conditions of extreme deprivation. We soldiers fought and encouraged each other to overcome hardships. In 1975, the country was unified, I returned in the joy of victory, and in early 1976 I was discharged from the army, returned home to start a family.

Only about 2 years later, when the situation at the Southwest border was tense due to Khmer Rouge aggression, I once again volunteered to re-enlist and continue to fight to protect the Fatherland's border. From 1978 to 1981, I fought in the Southwest battlefield in many campaigns to sweep and protect the border. When the situation gradually stabilized, I was able to return to my homeland and live a civilian life until now.

PV: There is one thing that makes many people worry, which is that soldiers like you fought in key areas where Agent Orange was sprayed such as Quang Tri and Khe Sanh, but only later realized that you were affected. When you realized that the consequences were not on yourself, but on your children, how did you feel at that time?

Mr. Pham Ba Canh:When we were still on the battlefield, we were very young, no one knew about the existence of something called Agent Orange or dioxin. At that time, as soldiers of the 341st Division, we had only one spirit: "Determined to die for the Fatherland, determined to live". No matter how fierce the battlefield was, how dense the bombs and bullets were, we still steadfastly held on, fighting to the end.

In 1976, after my first discharge from the army, I returned to my hometown with great happiness because I was healthy and had no wounds on my body. In the same year, I married Mrs. Nguyen Thi Van, who was from the same village. In 1977, our first daughter, Pham Thi Xuan, although not really healthy, grew up like any other normal child. At that time, I thought that the war had really ended, and peaceful days were waiting ahead.

But that joy was short-lived. In 1979, when my wife gave birth to our second child, Pham Thi Thuy, just a few months later I noticed that my child was showing unusual signs: her arms and legs did not move, her eyes did not react to light, and she was not aware of her surroundings. It was even more heartbreaking when my two sons, Pham Ba Long (born in 1982) and Pham Ba Phuong (born in 1985), also suffered from similar symptoms. After taking our children to Hanoi for examination, my wife and I were shocked when the doctor announced that they had suffered from Agent Orange from their father.

That is the pain that has been lingering in my life. Although I myself was not injured in the war, the most painful thing was that my children were disabled by Agent Orange from their father. That pain was multiplied when in 2012, my youngest child, Pham Ba Phuong, passed away after a sudden seizure on the 29th of Tet.

As for me, I also began to feel the consequences late: frequent illness, high blood pressure, and nerves that were easily damaged by weather changes. It was not until around 2001, after completing the assessment procedures, that my children and I were recognized as victims of chemical toxins during the resistance war, and began to receive benefits.

PV: With three children suffering from Agent Orange, family life must have gone through many changes. But looking at your journey of overcoming difficulties and building your carpentry workshop, perhaps it was a journey full of courage?

Mr. Pham Ba Canh:The first years after my second discharge from the army, my family life was extremely difficult. My wife and I both came from farming backgrounds, started from scratch, and had to raise four children, three of whom had disabilities due to Agent Orange. The burden of life became even heavier. My wife had to plow for hire, struggling everywhere to earn a living. Many times, both of us thought we would not have enough strength to get up. At night, I often tossed and turned, unable to sleep, wondering: "Why can't my family escape this difficult situation?"

In the most desperate times, a ray of hope came from what I had learned. In the early 1980s, I studied carpentry, then worked for hire in some small workshops. In 1995, I decided to set up a small carpentry workshop at home. At first, I only repaired plows and hoes, and made rudimentary items to serve the people in the neighborhood. Although the work was simple, I always did it with all my meticulousness, care, and learning spirit. Thanks to that, my skills became more and more solid, and the products became more and more sophisticated and durable. Gradually, people in the old Hung Nguyen district and neighboring areas began to come to me. The good news spread far and wide, and my small carpentry workshop received more and more orders.

After more than 10 years of hard work, by 2008, I had saved enough capital to expand the workshop, buy more modern machinery, and recruit more workers. Currently, my carpentry workshop provides stable jobs for at least 5 workers, all of whom are local people, including children of war invalids and Agent Orange victims. After deducting expenses, my family saves about 500 million VND each year. Thanks to that, the economy has gradually stabilized, my children are better cared for, and have the conditions to study and develop. My eldest son - Pham Ba Long, despite his poor health, still continues the family profession, helping me manage the workshop and taking on the role of main worker when I cannot work directly.

In particular, my two grandsons - Pham Ba Trong (born in 2006) and Pham Ba Quy (born in 2008) are both students at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted. Trong was the national runner-up in Block B last year and is currently a second-year student at Hanoi Medical University. That is a great source of pride and also a spiritual gift that somewhat eases the losses that the war left for my family.

As life gradually stabilized, I had the opportunity to contribute more to the community. Since leaving the army, I have always actively participated in the activities of the Youth Union, Farmers' Association, Veterans' Association and the Association of Victims of Agent Orange in the locality. In 2009, I and some comrades founded the Association of Victims of Agent Orange in Hung Yen Bac Commune (formerly), and I held the position of Permanent Vice President of the Association until April 2021. Since then, I have been a Standing Member of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange in Yen Trung Commune (new name after merging the communes of Hung Yen Bac, Hung Yen Nam and Hung Trung of the former Hung Nguyen District).

I was also honored to be invited many times to attend the Congress of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange at the district and provincial levels, and especially the 4th Congress of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin of Vietnam in 2018. For me, this is not only an honor, but also a responsibility - the responsibility of a soldier of Uncle Ho in peacetime, using experience, heart and determination to accompany, share and help other families of victims to confidently overcome difficulties, leaving no one behind.

PV: Having served as the Standing Member of the Commune Association of Agent Orange Victims for over 15 years, you have had the opportunity to come into contact with many people in similar situations. From an insider’s perspective, what do you think the victim community needs most to overcome their fate?

Mr. Pham Ba Canh:At the time the Association of Agent Orange Victims in Hung Yen Bac Commune was established, the whole commune had 22 families of victims. To date, that number has only been reduced to 11, as many have passed away. Each family has its own story, a pain that is difficult to describe in words. Many families have children who are severely disabled, have lost the ability to move, and cannot take care of themselves. Most of them are facing numerous difficulties, both materially and mentally.

As a permanent member of the Association, my colleagues and I in the Executive Committee always try to accompany the families of the victims, regularly visit, encourage and share. We actively mobilize organizations and kind individuals to join hands to support - from practical gifts, support for home repairs, to connecting and guiding their livelihoods, helping them gradually develop their economy.

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As the leader of the Association of Agent Orange Victims, I spend a lot of time meeting, listening, and sharing with families in similar situations. I always tell them: No matter how difficult life is, as long as you have health and determination, you can still learn a trade, support yourself and take care of your family - as I have experienced. For those who are still able to work, I frankly advise: do not expect or rely on support from the State or the community, but try to be a support for yourself first.

Veteran Pham Ba Canh (Hamlet 2, Yen Trung Commune, Nghe An Province)

We also persistently recommend to local authorities and relevant agencies to strengthen more practical support programs, from career guidance, job referrals to production capital support. Only when properly supported, Agent Orange victims and their families will have the opportunity to develop their inner strength and confidently rise up. This is not only an immediate need, but also a sustainable path for them to regain their faith, life values ​​and a worthy position in the community.

PV: On August 10 - Day for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims, if you could send a message to your former comrades, who also carry the legacy of war, what would you say?

Mr. Pham Ba Canh:Throughout my military and working career, I have realized that being able to live and contribute to the Fatherland is a great happiness. During the war, we have overcome countless hardships, and today - in peacetime - we must be even more resilient, using our own hands and will to overcome hunger and poverty, and defeat disease. Loss and suffering can be great, but if we give up and give up, we will regret it for the rest of our lives.

On the occasion of Vietnam Agent Orange Victims Day, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the authorities at all levels, sectors, unions, organizations and kind-hearted people who have always cared for and accompanied my family and the Agent Orange victims over the years. The gifts, greetings on every holiday and Tet; the support for house repairs, gifts, medical examinations, etc. are all great sources of encouragement both materially and spiritually. Thanks to that concern, my family has not only gradually stabilized our lives, but also gained more confidence to continue to strive to move forward.

I also hope that in the coming time, the authorities and organizations will continue to pay more close, specific and flexible attention to the families of Agent Orange victims. There are very difficult circumstances, just needing support to complete paperwork, remove procedures or supplement the regime can help them confidently move forward.

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I would like to tell my comrades, those who are in the same situation: let’s unite, love and encourage each other to overcome challenges. Let’s consider every day we still have health as an opportunity to learn a trade, work, and contribute to our families and society. We, Agent Orange victims, may be physically weak, but we must never be mentally weak. Let’s join hands together as a community so that no one is left behind.

Veteran Pham Ba Canh