Nghe An veterans overcome the pain of Agent Orange
(Baonghean.vn) - Born in two different hometowns, they have in common that they are veterans infected with Agent Orange, facing difficult circumstances and declining health, but still trying to overcome and contribute to building their homeland.
More than 30 years of "carrying prison and general goods"
Whenever mentioning Mr. Le Xuan Ty (born in 1948), people in Hoang Dieu block, Hong Son ward (Vinh city) always express their admiration and respect. Because for more than 30 years (from 1990 to present), Mr. Ty has always been the one who "carries the prison and the whole village", quietly contributing to the peace and development of the block. After being the Block Leader and then the Party Cell Secretary, he is now old and not very strong, but he still holds the position.Party Cell Secretaryblock.
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| Mr. Le Xuan Ty - Secretary of the Hoang Dieu Block Party Cell, Hong Son Ward (Vinh City) always keeps a notebook to record and monitor daily activities. Photo: Cong Kien |
Mr. Ty is a veteran who spent 7 years fighting in the Truong Son mountains and forests, mainly in the western region of Quang Tri. During this time, he continuously fought in the Khe Sanh battlefield, where the US concentrated on dropping toxic chemicals that killed forest trees. After being discharged from the army (in 1985), Mr. Ty was diagnosed withAgent Orangewith a loss rate of 61%.
Returning to civilian life, veteran Le Xuan Ty got married and faced many difficulties and hardships. Currently, his wife and children work far away, he lives alone in a small house at the end of an alley in Hoang Dieu block with a monthly allowance of less than 3 million VND and 1.6 million VND in allowances. Despite his declining health, Mr. Ty is still enthusiastically leading the block's movements.
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| During his participation in social work, Mr. Le Xuan Ty received many Certificates of Merit from leaders at all levels. Photo: Cong Kien |
Thanks to that, he contributed to the Ward Steering Committee to clearly understand the related subjects to isolate and suppress the epidemic, ensuring safety for the people. "I still feel healthy enough and have a lot of time, so I have to join hands to shoulder the work of the block, contributing a small part to a peaceful life" - Mr. Ty shared.
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| Mr. Le Xuan Ty propagates measures to prevent and combat the Covid-19 epidemic on the block's loudspeaker. Photo: Cong Kien |
Mr. Ty's small house is decorated with many types of Medals, Medals, Commemorative Medals and Certificates of Merit from all levels and sectors. And earlier this year, a veteran returning from the Khe Sanh front was honored to receive the 55-year Party badge.
“Comrade Le Xuan Ty has always been an enthusiastic and dedicated cadre, loved by the people and trusted by his superiors. He is truly a solid support for grassroots movements.”
Leading in economic development
Also returning frombattlefieldBorn in the South and carrying Agent Orange, Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh (born in 1952) in Hamlet 2, Nghi Xa Commune (Nghi Loc) is also a veteran actively participating in social work. With determination, intelligence and dynamism, this veteran has gradually overcome difficulties and become rich.
Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh joined the army in early 1975 and fought in the mountainous areas of western Quang Tri province and Tay Ninh province until the country was completely reunified. When marching through western Quang Tri, the trees were green but there were still barrels of chemicals scattered along the roads.
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Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh and his eldest son (Luong Dinh Nghiem) were infected with Agent Orange. Photo: Cong Kien |
"Everyone knew those barrels were dropped by American planes several years ago, but no one thought they were toxic chemicals, and even less knew the terrible consequences they would bring," Mr. Thanh confided.
The Northern Border War broke out (1979), Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh's unit was sent to Lang Son, carrying out the mission of preventing the enemy's advance and protecting the people and important works. Completing the mission, in 1980 Mr. Thanh wasdischarged, and got married in 1982. After waiting anxiously for 2 years, Mr. Thanh's wife finally gave birth to their first son, named Luong Dinh Nghiem (born in 1984).
But then “the joy was short-lived”, Nghiem was born with a disability, the older he got, the more his physical and mental health was inferior to children of the same age. At first, the reason was not understood, later it was found out that it was due to the after-effects of Agent Orange from his father.
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Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh is the first person in Nghi Xa (Nghi Loc) to open a rice milling service. Photo: Cong Kien |
Despite their sadness, Mr. Thanh and his wife encouraged each other to overcome the situation and hoped that the next birth would be full of joy. And luck smiled on them when their second, third and fourth children (2 girls, 1 boy) were born and grew up healthy, with no signs of Agent Orange effects.
As aparty memberAfter being discharged from the army, Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh actively participated in social work, worked as an accountant for the Commune People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Cooperative in charge of brick and tile production, and continuously worked as the village chief and Party cell secretary for many years. To make ends meet and raise 4 children, the couple took on 2 hectares of rice fields, focusing on fertilizing them to achieve high yields.
Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh is considered by Nghi Xa people to be a dynamic person in production and business. His family was the first to buy a rice milling machine and a rice threshing machine to meet the needs of his family and serve the people in the commune. At the same time, he promoted livestock farming, especially pig farming, at the peak time there were up to 50 pigs in the barn.
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Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh at his family's mechanical workshop. Photo: Cong Kien |
The income is increasing, helping the family expand production and improve their living standards. Mr. Thanh is also the first person to open a welding workshop, producing common items such as wheelbarrows, iron doors, gates and fences made of iron and steel. Currently, Mr. Thanh's mechanical workshop has 6 workers with quite modern machines, almost always having work with a salary ofsteady income.
“Mr. Luong Dinh Thanh is an active member in social work and helps members in difficulty. In economic development, Mr. Thanh is a hard-working, dynamic and well-planned person.”