Attacking on a "new front"

(Baonghean) - Returning to civilian life, the veterans of Yen Thanh, the rice-growing region, not only seek to enrich themselves and their families, but also demonstrate pioneering and exemplary qualities in many fields. They actively work, innovate, help fellow veterans, and contribute to building a prosperous and beautiful homeland.

The Veterans Association of Minh Thanh mountainous commune has over 300 members operating in 12 branches. In recent years, the officials and members of the Veterans Association have always been dynamic and creative in exploiting potential, strengthening the economic restructuring, breaking away from monoculture, and bringing high economic value... The entire association has 28 successful production and business models, each generating a net profit of 70 million VND or more per year. As a result, nearly 50% of households in the association are well-off or wealthy, and the poverty rate is only over 6%. Every year, nearly 100% of members achieve the title of "Exemplary Veteran," with at least 70% being outstanding; the rate of culturally exemplary families reaches 97%. Veterans Association members are also the core force leading all activities and movements in the locality. Mr. Ho Xuan Sau, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Minh Thanh commune, said: “In implementing Directive 03 on studying and following the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh, the members have shown initiative and creativity, putting words into action. In particular, many veterans have effectively exploited the potential and advantages of the hilly areas to develop family economies, create jobs for members, improve their material and spiritual lives, strive to become legitimately wealthy, and contribute to building new rural areas.”

For veteran Le Anh Dao in Hamlet 3, Ly Thanh Commune, after returning to his hometown following his military service, he struggled to make a living and build up his family's economy by doing various jobs. Determined to escape poverty, he decided to travel and learn from economic models both within and outside the province. He then renovated his overgrown garden, planting off-season oranges and lemons, and selling groceries. However, his income remained unstable. Therefore, he utilized the empty land under the trees on Tu Cung Hill to breed froglets and raise commercial frogs in ponds lined with tarpaulins for the market. Each year, he earns hundreds of millions of dong from frog farming, combined with raising chickens, ducks, and fruit trees. Using the techniques he learned and refined from practice, he wholeheartedly guides and provides high-quality froglets to members and villagers both within and outside the district to develop their farming. Currently, he assists nearly 50 member households and villagers in frog farming, generating significant income.

Following the example of President Ho Chi Minh's moral conduct, the Veterans' Associations at all levels in Yen Thanh district have also built ethical standards and lifestyles, working together to fulfill tasks and achieve breakthroughs. In particular, responding to the movement to jointly build new rural areas, over the past three years, more than 5,000 veteran members throughout the district have donated over 1,700,000 square meters of land, over 31,000 man-days of labor, nearly 4,500 square meters of fences, and many other assets on the land; they have also set an example by contributing money and labor according to local regulations to build over 300 km of concrete roads in villages and hamlets. They have facilitated loans of over 115 billion VND from the Social Policy Bank for more than 4,800 members and policy beneficiary families to borrow capital for production and business. To date, the entire association has established 952 farms and family farms; 14 private enterprises and limited liability companies; Five cooperatives and production groups generate hundreds of millions of dong in income, providing employment for thousands of workers... contributing to reducing the poverty rate in the entire association to only 3.1%, and the percentage of well-off households to over 70%.

Mr. Mai Huy Dung, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Yen Thanh district, said: In 2015, the Yen Thanh Veterans Association continued to promote the registration of following the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh, raising the awareness and ideology of its members, and integrating the content of following the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh into the regular activities, contributing to the successful implementation of the association's tasks and emulation movements…

Anh Tuan - Phan Hien