Must always maintain the qualities of a soldier

(Baonghean) - On the occasion of the Day for Agent Orange Victims (August 10), Nghe An Newspaper reporters talked with veteran, wounded soldier 3/4 Pham Ba Canh in hamlet 2A, Hung Yen Bac commune (Hung Nguyen).

- Dear veteran Pham Ba Canh, it is known that you volunteered to join the army twice. Can you tell us more specifically?

Veteran Pham Ba Canh works at his family's carpentry workshop.

- In 1972, when I was 19 years old, I volunteered to join the army and was assigned to Division 341 to fight in the Quang Tri battlefield. After participating in several major campaigns such as Route 9 Southern Laos, Khe Sanh, I joined the unit in many other campaigns in the Southeast until the liberation day. In 1976, I was discharged from the army and returned to my hometown for 2 years. The situation in the Southwest border was disturbed by the Pol Pot army (Cambodia), so I once again volunteered to join the army. In 1981, I was discharged from the army and returned to my hometown until now.

- Khe Sanh battlefield in the Southeast region was heavily affected by Agent Orange/dioxin sprayed by the US military. So during the fighting, did you know about it and when did you know you were exposed to this toxic chemical?

- During the years on the battlefield, soldiers like us did not know anything about Agent Orange/dioxin. But if we had known, with the spirit of "determination to die for the Fatherland, determination to live" in every Uncle Ho soldier, we would have resolutely stayed and fought until our last breath. In 1976, when I was discharged for the first time, I felt extremely lucky because I did not suffer any injuries. In 1977, we welcomed our first child, Pham Thi Xuan, who was completely healthy and whole, and I thought my family was as normal as any other family. It was not until 1979, when my second child, Pham Thi Thuy, was born, that I began to feel the after-effects of war... Then in 1982 and 1985, two other boys, Pham Ba Phuong and Pham Ba Long, were born, each suffering from the same diseases as her - paralysis and cerebral palsy. After taking the children to Hanoi for a medical examination, my husband and I learned that they had suffered from Agent Orange. Three years ago, Phuong died after having an epileptic seizure. Since 2001, after the examination, my children and I have been entitled to the regime for people exposed to toxic chemicals during the resistance war...

- Having three disabled children who cannot take care of themselves for the rest of their lives is a great pain for anyone. But you have received many certificates of merit from the Veterans Association and Agent Orange Victims Association at all levels for your efforts to improve your life. Can you share more about this?

- In the first years after being discharged from the army for the second time, like many other families in the commune, my husband and I lived in poverty. Then our children became disabled, making our lives even more difficult. My husband and I often had to work for hire to earn money to buy rice, difficulties piled on difficulties. However, I also found a way to overcome them. Before joining the army, I learned carpentry and was very passionate about this profession, so I opened a small carpentry workshop and it was this carpentry workshop that helped my family stand firm until today... I also participated in the activities of the farmers' association, the veterans' association and the Agent Orange victims' association. I was one of the first Agent Orange victims in the commune to receive benefits since 2001 and was also one of the first people to call for the establishment of the Hung Yen Bac Association of Agent Orange victims in 2009. Currently, I am the permanent Vice President of the Association. For me, participating in organizations and unions is also a way to demonstrate the qualities and mettle of Uncle Ho's soldiers, not forgetting the responsibility of a veteran to society because of adversity, and setting an example for children and young people to follow.

- On the occasion of the Day for Agent Orange Victims on August 10 this year, what message do you have for those in the same situation as well as relevant levels and sectors?

- Throughout my life, I have lived, fought, and worked, that is my responsibility and also my happiness; during the war, I overcame many difficulties and hardships, so in peacetime today, I must also be determined to rise up and overcome the situation of illness and poverty. As an Agent Orange victim, in recent years, I have received a lot of attention from authorities at all levels, departments, branches, unions and socio-political organizations; regularly on holidays and Tet, my family is visited by delegations, given gifts and encouragement. At the beginning of this year, I also received 40 million VND from the Provincial Association of Agent Orange Victims to repair the factory. Those are valuable sources of encouragement for my family to continue to rise up in life... I also have a healthy child and 4 healthy grandchildren. But many other families of Agent Orange victims are not so lucky, when all of their children are severely disabled, cannot take care of themselves, and do not have the opportunity to start a family. Therefore, I also hope that all levels, sectors and organizations will provide more practical support so that families of Agent Orange victims can develop their internal strength in building their lives.

- Thank you for this conversation!

Minh Quan(Perform)