Proud of a 75-year Party member

Lifelong following the Party

Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen Danh Du at their home. Photo: Phuoc Anh

Mr. Nguyen Danh Du's house is in Son Ha village, Thanh Linh commune, Thanh Chuong district. This year, he is 95 years old. When he sees a guest coming to visit, he smiles brightly, shakes his hand firmly, and says: "Let me make some tea, let's sit and chat leisurely!" Sitting next to him is Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ty, but in the locality, she is used to calling her husband by his name, so the villagers usually call her Mrs. Du.

The old man said that although they are both over 90 years old, God has blessed them with good health and have never been sick for a long time. Every day, he still reads the newspaper to her, sews and threads needles without needing glasses, and they still take care of each other by cooking three meals a day. "Of the six children, five have settled down and started their own businesses far away, while the other daughter lives nearby and is a few minutes' walk away. The daughter often goes to the market, gardens, and takes care of her parents, but the couple still prefers to be independent for comfort." - Mr. Du told the story of his family.

It is admirable that at the age of 95, Mr. Nguyen Danh Du still has a good memory, clearly remembering each milestone, each character, and each event. Born and raised in Thanh Linh commune, it can be said that Mr. Du is a witness to a historical period of his commune. He remembers his vibrant youth, with many energetic activities, actively contributing to the general movement.

Mr. Du said: “To join the Party, one must go through many challenges, must prove one’s political mettle, ability, and enthusiasm. I remember clearly the day in July 1947, at the house of Mr. Ky Thai - a revolutionary veteran of the commune, now deceased - I and two other comrades turned to the National Flag and the Party Flag and sang the Internationale. It was so emotional! At that moment, I felt like I had grown up, very honored, proud, but also more aware of the responsibility of a Party member.”

Mr. Nguyen Danh Du remembers and recounts the day he was admitted to the Party. Photo: Phuoc Anh

After being admitted, Mr. Nguyen Danh Du was assigned to work as a propaganda officer of the District Party Committee, then transferred to work in propaganda for the Provincial Military Command. In 1951, he received an order to establish the Nghe An Trade Branch. Working in logistics and trade until his retirement in 1976, Mr. Nguyen Danh Du said that his whole life was devoted to the tasks assigned by the Party, and that he was lucky to have his wife to take care of his house and children.

Mrs. Du is a typical example of a Vietnamese woman who is good at public affairs and good at housework, actively participating in local union, women's and cooperative activities, and being a solid support for her husband to work with peace of mind. During the years her husband worked in the commune, their small house was a secret meeting place, regularly hosting special events of the Party cell. Two years after her husband was honored to join the Party, Mrs. Du was also considered for admission. In 2019, she received the 70-year Party membership badge.

Exemplary role model

With the concept of "retirement age but not retirement intelligence", several decades after retiring from his job at a state agency, Mr. Nguyen Danh Du returned to his hometown, was trusted by the organization and the people in the role of village party cell secretary for several terms, then 11 years as Chairman of the Commune Elderly Association.

The whole village trusted Mr. Du, and waited for him to speak up on many matters, big and small, because of his disciplined, dedicated lifestyle and his fearlessness of trouble. In the life of the neighborhood, conflicts were inevitable, and at those times, the role of a veteran party member came into play the most, thanks to the prestige of his family's exemplary life, harmonious marriage, and well-behaved children.

At the age of 95, Mr. Du is still clear-headed, active, and likes to be independent in all daily activities. Photo: Phuoc Anh

The extended family of Mr. Nguyen Danh Du is a shining example in the local community. The two elders have 6 children, 6 in-laws, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. The children and grandchildren all study hard and work in the military, police, education, and diplomacy. The extended family currently has 15 party members. The siblings and grandchildren always remind each other to look at the exemplary example of the two elders to live a worthy life.

Pointing to the wall solemnly hung with certificates of merit and photos, Mr. Nguyen Danh Du shared about the anniversary of receiving the 75-year Party membership badge: “On October 1, 2021, Thanh Linh Commune Party Committee organized a badge awarding ceremony for Party members. It was an honor that on that day, Comrade Nguyen Nam Dinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council attended and awarded the badge. I and the comrades receiving the badge all felt respected. The Party badge is the Party's recognition of the merits and contributions of Party members, and at the same time reminds us - veteran Party members to continue to be exemplary, as long as we are alive, we will continue to contribute to the development process of our homeland and the cause of our Party.”

Comrade Nguyen Nam Dinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council awarded the 75-year Party badge to party member Nguyen Danh Du. Photo: Contributor

Mr. Du emotionally confided that every time he looked at the 70 and 75 year Party membership badges of his wife and him, he clearly realized that it was not simply a recognition of the number of Party membership years, but also an honor and pride in the process of striving, the moral qualities, and political mettle of communists.

At the age of one hundred, Mr. Nguyen Danh Du still has not stopped worrying about the cause of building and developing the country. Every day, at 7 pm, he sits in front of the TV to watch the news; international commentary programs on the radio are his favorite programs.

Mr. Du also often writes poetry, as a way to train his mind and express his feelings. He always remembers that before parting, he happily read a poem he composed the year he received the 75th Party Membership Badge: “This year our Party is 91 years old/ Successfully held the 13th Congress/ Proposed correct policies/ Selected talented and virtuous personnel/ Determined to punish corrupt groups/ Army and people were excited and confident/ Wholeheartedly followed the Party/ Built the homeland to be strong and prosperous forever"!

Phuoc Anh