Awaken a belief, a determination!

(Baonghean) ...The soldiers of Uncle Ho's homeland, who have excellently fulfilled their duties directly on the front lines protecting the Fatherland, gathered today at the Nghe An Guest House - the venue for the 5th Provincial Patriotic Emulation Congress of "Exemplary Veterans". They greeted each other warmly, embracing their comrades. So much joy! Joy because their comrades are still healthy, joy because their comrades are still contributing so much to society. In late autumn, despite the cold rain, the spacious hall felt surprisingly warm…

Before the opening of the Congress, the veteran delegates from Nghe An, dressed in their neat and dignified uniforms, solemnly and respectfully pinned a fresh red rose to their breast pockets and offered flowers to the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh in Ho Chi Minh Square. Before the monument, these old soldiers, who had experienced battles for the liberation of the nation and for the benefit of the people, emotionally and proudly addressed President Ho Chi Minh: "We, the soldiers of yesteryear, are honored to bear the name 'Ho Chi Minh's Soldiers.' As long as we are healthy, we will continue to contribute to the country and the people." For the veterans of Nghe An, President Ho Chi Minh is as if he never left, remaining forever in their hearts...

The opening ceremony of the congress was marked by a cultural program, a story about the brave soldiers of yesteryear who made the glorious Dien Bien Phu victory, the great Spring Victory of 1975, reunifying the country. The entire hall joined in singing the stirring song: “Comrades! As veterans, you came before me, we still live together, bound by the deep camaraderie. We crossed the Truong Son Mountains with tireless feet, sharing meals of rice, salt, and wild vegetables. We are proud today to be glorious Vietnamese veterans…”

A proud and enthusiastic atmosphere prevailed as the congress held a ceremony to receive the Third-Class Independence Order awarded by the President of Vietnam to the Nghe An Provincial Veterans Association. On the platform, the association's traditional flag received another great honor. The entire hall was filled with emotion: the Order was not only an honor for an exemplary veterans association that had consistently and successfully carried out many political tasks of the association and the locality, but also a great encouragement for generations of veterans to continue contributing their intellect and efforts to building a more prosperous, beautiful, and civilized Nghe An homeland. The report summarizing the patriotic emulation movement "Exemplary Veterans" from 2009 to 2014 clearly stated: Over the past five years, the tradition of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" has continued to be upheld in new conditions; the exemplary conduct, the matching of words with actions, and the shining example set by veterans in the community have been clearly demonstrated, especially during difficult and complex times. Veterans' associations at all levels in the province continue to be a reliable and solid support for the Party Committee, government, and people of the province... Nghe An veterans have 5,835 exemplary individuals who deserve to be commended and honored. We observed that Lieutenant General Nguyen Song Phi - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Association - expressed his excitement, carefully circling that impressive number with a red pen.

In the congress program, perhaps the most welcomed part was the presentations by the exemplary delegates, because the delegates came with the mindset of learning from the good and new things of other units and comrades to apply in their own units and to learn from them. Everyone wanted to learn new things and good things, so after each presentation, there was continuous applause. Each presentation was a story of overcoming difficulties, a thought, a method, and a heartfelt sharing of kindness. Therefore, both speakers and listeners were deeply moved. 66-year-old veteran Le Thi Duyen recounted her work as the head of the Veterans Association branch in Khe Bai hamlet, Nghia Hoi commune, Nghia Dan district. In everything she does, she learns from President Ho Chi Minh's example of "For the nation, sacrificing oneself; for the people, serving wholeheartedly" and "Actions speak louder than words": From saving money in her piggy bank to organize a community cultural performance titled "Khe Bai - Catholic - Catholic Solidarity in Building New Rural Areas," to tirelessly campaigning to help struggling Catholic parishioners.

Veteran Nguyen Dinh Nhung, 61 years old, Head of the Veterans' Association - Block 6, Thu Thuy Ward, Cua Lo Town, has made significant contributions to the "All People Unite to Build a Culturally Rich Life" movement, the concreting of roads, and many other campaigns in a predominantly Catholic community... Humble about his own work, veteran Nguyen Dinh Nhung considers himself "a good Catholic and a good citizen." According to him, the other contributions of his comrades are even more noteworthy, such as veteran Nguyen Viet Hoc, Tan Lap hamlet, Tan Long commune, Tan Ky district, who established a charity class for hundreds of children with particularly difficult circumstances, lives a simple life to contribute money to support studious children, has fostered one child in difficult circumstances for three years, and cared for three children for three months while they prepared for exams. Former soldier Le Thi Lan from Quynh Van commune, Quynh Luu district, established Hoan Cau Mechanical Company, manufacturing various types of agricultural machinery and creating jobs for 70-80 workers…

Delegates exchange views on the sidelines of the Congress.

During the break, the 70-80 year old veterans clung to each other, chatting animatedly, as if the soldierly spirit in them remained as vibrant as the color of their uniforms… Former comrades from years past, with tears in their eyes, reminisced about those who had passed away. Many delegates took the opportunity to catch up, learn from each other's experiences… And, even more impressive was the bright, proud, and confident look in the eyes of the veteran delegates when they heard Major General Nguyen Phong Phu – Chairman of the Nghe An Veterans Association – launch the patriotic emulation movement “Exemplary Veterans” for the next phase, and the heartfelt messages and advice from the provincial leaders conveyed to the congress by Comrade Huynh Thanh Dien – Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

The 5th Congress honoring exemplary veterans in President Ho Chi Minh's homeland has concluded. Veterans from both mountainous and lowland regions once again clasped hands, exchanging trust in their comrades, and vowing to strive and win on the new front against poverty, building a prosperous and happy life, and contributing to the development and beauty of their homeland… And they all promised to meet again at the next congress with new achievements.

Thanh Son