These veterans overcome their pain and shine brightly within their communities.

Sharing and helping those in similar circumstances.

At 83 years old, a war invalid with a 31% disability rating and suffering from chemical poisoning, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, residing in Hamlet 5, Nghi Kim Commune (Vinh City), still helps his children and grandchildren with their work and production every day. He shared: "At this age, I should be resting, but my children are still struggling, so as long as I have the strength, I'll help as much as I can..."

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang (left) introduces battlefield relics. Photo: Cong Khang

After a moment of silence, Mr. Thang recounted his life story: In early 1965, as the war against the Americans entered its most intense phase, he enlisted. Assigned to Regiment 33, Division 325A, Mr. Thang and his comrades crossed the Truong Son mountain range to operate and fight in the Central Highlands battlefield.

During his approximately 10 years in the Central Highlands, he couldn't remember how many battles he participated in, how many times he marched through defoliated forests and used stream water for cooking. After each march, he would experience intense itching, sores all over his body, and gradual hair loss, requiring treatment with traditional medicine from the ethnic minority communities.

In 1974, after being seriously wounded and sent to the North for recuperation, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang was transferred to the Organization Department of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, and then to the Forestry Department. After getting married, Mr. Thang's wife, Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc, gave birth to four children (two sons and two daughters), two of whom suffer from the effects of chemical poisoning.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang shows off his medals and decorations from his time in the military. Photo: Cong Khang

Although their brains were normal, some had cracked hands and feet, others suffered from sores and hair loss, and despite seeking treatment everywhere, all attempts were unsuccessful. At that moment, Mr. Thang suddenly recalled his years on the battlefield, traveling through forests sprayed with chemical weapons by the American army. Even his two grandchildren suffered from the aftereffects, meaning that Agent Orange had affected the third generation.

Facing numerous difficulties and worries in life, there were times when veteran Nguyen Dinh Thang felt he lacked the strength to cope. But with the resilience of someone who had experienced the battlefield, he always strived to overcome them, becoming a pillar of support for his entire family.

Certificate of commendation awarded by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang. Photo: Cong Khang

While still in good health, Mr. Thang took on the roles of Chairman of the Elderly Association and then Chairman of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange in Nghi Kim commune, and was always highly regarded by the higher-level associations for his sense of responsibility and work efficiency.

He has mobilized organizations, society, and philanthropists to support the renovation of houses for four families of Agent Orange victims, and provided wheelchairs, handcarts, sugarcane juice presses, animal feed processing machines, and livestock, as well as medical expenses for struggling member families, totaling hundreds of millions of VND. Because Agent Orange victims share the same plight, Mr. Thang always expresses his concern, help, and compassion…

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang's perseverance, resilience, and sense of responsibility have been recognized by the people and various levels of government. In particular, he was recently honored by the Provincial People's Committee as an outstanding contributor to the province and received a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for his contributions to the community and society.

Spreading examples of successful business people.

Compared to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, Mr. Phan Thanh Lon (born in 1955), residing in My Thien hamlet, Nam Cat commune (Nam Dan district), is somewhat luckier. Mr. Lon is a war invalid with a 71% disability rating, a sick soldier with a 65% loss of working capacity, and has been exposed to chemical toxins.

The couple has three sons. Their eldest son suffers from the effects of Agent Orange, resulting in intellectual disability. He is now married and has children, but faces financial difficulties. Their two younger sons are working abroad in Germany, earning between 300 and 500 million VND per year; the other runs a farm and food service business, earning around 300 million VND per year.

Mr. Phan Thanh Lon recounts his years on the battlefield. Photo: Cong Khang

Mr. Lơn's family once leased 5 hectares of barren land to reclaim and plant new rice varieties, and borrowed capital to develop livestock farming with a total pig herd of up to 300 pigs, earning an annual income of 100-150 million VND.

Mr. Lơn recounted: “In 1972, at the age of 17, I enlisted in the army and was assigned to the 341st Division. After training, I went straight to the battlefield in the South, specifically the Southeast region. During the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, my unit carried out the mission to attack Bien Hoa and advance to break through the 'gateway' to Xuan Loc. In the ensuing struggle, the enemy used bomber planes, causing us to cough and suffocate, and we didn't have time to take measures to counteract the toxic fumes…”

Mr. Phan Thanh Lon with his battlefield memento. Photo: Cong Khang

Returning to ordinary life with numerous difficulties and hardships, bearing the scars and aftereffects of war, and with his wife in poor health, but having experienced countless hardships and dangers himself, Mr. Phan Thanh Lon was determined not to back down in the face of adversity.

He focused on economic development, taking advantage of his land to create a farm, which led to a more stable and prosperous life, with increasing economic efficiency and income. When the local government launched the new rural development program, Mr. Lơn's family actively participated in contributing to building green, clean, and beautiful village roads and alleys.

According to Mr. Lơn, the achievements he has today are due not only to his own efforts and those of his family, but also to the support and assistance of the local government in creating favorable conditions for him to lease barren land for reclamation, construction, and development of his farm.

Mr. Phan Thanh Lon is considered a role model in the development of farm-based economy. Photo: Cong Khang

For many years, Mr. Phan Thanh Lon's family has been awarded the title of "Culturally Exemplary Family," becoming a shining example in the movement to develop the economy and become wealthy in the rural area of ​​Nam Cat.

Recently, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2022), Mr. Lơn was honored to attend the Conference to Commend Outstanding Meritorious Individuals of the entire province and was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for his outstanding achievements in the work of showing gratitude and contributing to the socio-economic development of Nghe An province.