The last dream of a martyr's wife

(Baonghean.vn) - Although she is in her seventies and is the wife of a martyr, sheto Bui Thi Thang, in Minh Thanh hamlet, Quynh Long commune, Quynh Luu districtstill living alone in a makeshift house. Having a decent house, sheltered from the rain and sun is still a distant dream.

Mrs. Bui Thi Thang currentlyin Minh Thanh hamlet, Quynh Long commune, Quynh Luu district,is the wife of martyr Nguyen Phi Bong who died in 1968. Mr. Bong and Mrs. Thang got married in 1959, by 1968, they had 4 daughters, the eldest daughter was born in 1963 and the youngest daughter was born in 1968.

Like many other young people, following the call of the Party, Mr. Bong said goodbye to his young wife and children to join the resistance war against the US. Because of his traditional occupation of fishing at sea, Mr. Bong and some of his comrades were assigned to carry weapons and fight the enemy at sea (also known as going long B).

Mr. Nguyen Phi Cong's Third Class Resistance Medal for his brave fighting achievements. Photo: Nguyen Hai

During a time of transporting weapons at sea in 1968, Mr. Bong's ship was discovered by the enemy and was fiercely pursued. To protect the weapons, Mr. Bong and his comrades fought bravely and sacrificed their lives. That battle was described by his former comrade, Mr. Bui Si Hau (currently living in Minh Thanh hamlet, Quynh Long commune) as suicide soldiers, when attacked and captured by the enemy, they used explosives tied around themselves and rushed into the enemy ship.

Mr. Bong and his teammates fought bravely and sacrificed their lives, but also caused an enemy ship's weapons compartment to explode, killing 10 enemies.

Upon receiving the news of her husband's death, Mrs. Thang was stunned, but she suppressed her grief and continued to work hard, raising her four children alone. A few years after her husband's death, unfortunately, her youngest daughter also suddenly passed away. Pain piled on pain, but she persevered, worked hard to raise and care for her children.

Her daughters got married one after another, but their family life was too difficult and they could not help much. Therefore, even though Mrs. Thang is 81 years old this year, she still lives alone in a makeshift, rickety house.

Mr. Bui Si Hau - Mr. Bong's comrade-in-arms and neighbors came to visit and encourage the family. Photo: Nguyen Hai

The house my grandparents built nearly 60 years ago is now in disrepair and on the verge of collapse. In recent years, she has been sick frequently.just lie there. MEverything depends on Thien, the eldest daughter, who lives closest to her.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thien - the eldest daughter of martyr Nguyen Phi Bong, lives closest so she often takes care of Mrs. Thang when she is sick. Photo: Nguyen Hai

It is known that two years ago, to support her family, the Minh Thanh hamlet committee made a proposal and Quynh Long commune organized a survey, on that basis, a profile was created. The commune encouraged the family to rebuild the house, then the commune will work with the district to study and apply policy mechanisms to provide additional support. However, because the source of support for house construction is not yet available and according to regulations, families are only supported with a part of about 30-40 million VND and the funds are advanced first, then the commune and district support later. Because the family does not have the conditions, they have not accepted to make a profile to build a house.

According to the neighborhood survey, to rebuild the house, Mrs. Thang's family needs about 100 million VND. Currently, every month, Mrs. Thang only receives a 1.3 million VND allowance for the wife of a martyr. Every month, her children only support her with medicine and health care, but cannot afford to help their mother build a house.

The house built in the 1960s by the family of Mrs. Bui Thi Thang - wife of martyr Nguyen Phi Bong - has deteriorated and is now rickety, and is now nestled among the surrounding houses. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Mr. Tran Van Vien - Deputy of Minh Thanh hamlet said: As the wife of a martyr, although the family is poor, when she was still healthy, Mrs. Thang actively participated in social and union activities and cared for her neighbors, so she was loved and respected by everyone. Therefore, the locality also really hopesThe government and philanthropists supported Mrs. Thang and her family to fulfill their wish to repair and upgrade the house; to have a place to shelter from the rain and sun in their old age./.

Nguyen Hai