Generational shades of blue

(Baonghean.vn) - The green of the soldiers' uniforms - the warm green of the volunteers together under the clear sky of July, a month of gratitude, creates a beautiful image of the heroic youth of Nghe An province.

July at the Nghe An Center for the Care of Severely Injured Soldiers seems busier than usual. For almost a month now, more than 20 students from Vinh Medical University have volunteered at the center to assist the nursing staff and care for the 71 injured and sick soldiers residing there. This is the sixth year that Vinh Medical University has organized summer volunteer activities at the Nghe An Center for the Care of Severely Injured Soldiers.

Here, the wounded and sick soldiers all bear the heavy scars of war, with over 85% being disabled veterans. Their daily lives largely depend on wheelchairs and walking sticks. With the care, support, and encouragement, both material and spiritual, from various levels of government, organizations, and associations, the quality of life for the wounded and sick soldiers at the center is steadily improving. The spacious, airy buildings, equipped with amenities such as televisions, air conditioners, and refrigerators, provide the soldiers with better conditions for recuperation, somewhat alleviating their pain and illness.

During the July days of gratitude, the sky is a vast, peaceful blue. Amidst the green uniforms of soldiers, glimpses of the bright green of youth can be seen, their cheerful stories and heroic songs echoing throughout the air… bringing immense encouragement to the wounded and sick veterans.

In that moment of connection between two generations, the soldiers seemed to "see" their youth there – a place filled with love and passionate dedication to the community and their homeland.

Here are some photos taken by PV at the Nghe An Center for the Rehabilitation of Severely Wounded Soldiers:

The stories, covering a wide range of life topics and presented from the innocent and humorous perspective of the students, brought joy to the lives of the wounded and disabled veterans.

At the center, young people listen to stories of the battlefield and the gunfire through the accounts of living witnesses. It's a genuine and valuable history lesson that is not easily obtained.

Every day, student volunteers help severely wounded soldiers with personal hygiene. These are small acts, but they carry great significance.

There are currently four female war invalids at the rehabilitation center. All of them have leg injuries and have been completely dependent on wheelchairs for decades. In the photo, volunteer students are helping one of the female war invalids with hand and foot hygiene.

Showcasing their cooking skills in the kitchen is an advantage for female student volunteers. In the photo, student Tran Thi Quynh is helping war veteran Ngo Xuan Kien prepare dinner.

War invalid Tran Huu Dien, paralyzed from head to toe, is one of the most severely injured war veterans at the center. At each meal, the students help him eat with utmost care and attention.

For the female war invalids at the center, the student volunteers can confide in them, share many personal and shared stories, and feel close and warm like a mother and daughter in a family.

Phuong Chi