Deep gratitude
(Baonghean.vn) - The principle of remembering the source of the water you drink and the person who planted the tree that bore the fruit you eat has always been cultivated and nurtured by the Party, the State, political and social organizations, and the people of Vietnam.
During those historic days of July, many groups of pilgrims visited historical sites to light incense at the graves of heroic martyrs; the homes of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and severely wounded soldiers were always filled with the cheerful laughter and chatter of young people... All were turning their thoughts towards those who had contributed with deep gratitude.
The principle of remembering the source of one's blessings.
The home of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Truyen in Hamlet 1, Hung Thinh Commune (Hung Nguyen District) seems more lively these days with the cheerful chatter of children, their playful shouts, and the warm, familiar greetings. Today, the youth union members of Hung Thinh Commune arrived early to cook a celebratory meal with Mrs. Truyen and her two elderly sons. Mrs. Truyen is 101 years old this year. Although her legs are no longer steady and her hearing is failing, she is still very sharp. When mentioning her two sons who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, she sheds tears: "Because the country was in danger, my sons had to leave. Although it was a painful loss, my family and I are very proud." She said that now she is cared for by the Party and the State, and in her old age she can enjoy time with her eldest son's family, and that is enough to make her content...
Also in Hung Thinh commune, the house of war invalid 4/4 Duong Van Thin in Hamlet 3 received many visitors today. They came to inquire about his health, offer encouragement, and to hear him recount the days he spent clearing bomb craters and repairing roads with the Youth Volunteer Brigade where he lived and fought during the fierce war. He said he was seriously injured when he was subjected to the pressure of bombs and mines at the Bong Gorge in Con Cuong district while filling bomb craters.
Mr. Thin said: "Although the war is long over, every time I think about the sacrifices and losses of my comrades, my heart aches. I and many other brothers were very fortunate to return and continue to contribute to society, so we pledge to live up to the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers and contribute to the community."
Not only in Hung Thinh commune, but also in other localities of Hung Nguyen district, local authorities and political and social organizations are implementing programs to commemorate the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hiep – Head of the Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Department of Hung Nguyen district, said: During this period, the district mobilizes many resources to build the "Gratitude Fund," and movements such as donating houses of gratitude and savings accounts to war invalids and martyrs' relatives continue to be promoted. In the first six months of the year, the district has paid benefits to more than 4,100 war invalids and their relatives with a total amount of nearly 48 billion VND. In coordination with the Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs of Nghe An province, 9 wheelchairs were given to the relatives of martyrs; financial support was provided for the construction of 3 houses of gratitude for the relatives of martyrs; and gifts were given to 11 relatives of martyrs and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.
"Currently, the district is close to achieving the goal of 100% of families of war veterans having a living standard equal to or higher than the average living standard of the people in their place of residence, and there are no longer any poor households among the members of war veterans," Mr. Hiep said.
Similar to Hung Nguyen district, Nam Dan district has also implemented many programs to express gratitude to war invalids and those who have contributed to the nation. The district has organized numerous visits and gift-giving events for Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, relatives of martyrs, and war invalids in the area, with small but meaningful gifts.
Visiting the home of war invalid Nguyen Van Hung in Hai Phong hamlet, Xuan Hoa commune, the district delegation was delighted to see that this veteran had overcome difficulties to develop his economy. Mr. Hung said: "Over the years, with the care and support of the Party Committee and local government, our family has successfully built a vegetable and flower garden model to improve our economy. We received technical support, irrigation equipment, and initial loans to expand the model. In addition, the commune always accompanies war invalids and disabled veterans in economic development in the area, encouraging and motivating them in a timely manner for their initial achievements. This makes us extremely grateful, and it further encourages more leading examples of economic development in the area led by veterans. We war invalids and disabled veterans always receive the attention of the local Party Committee and government, even if it's just small gestures, inquiries during holidays and Tet, which warm our hearts so much."
Continue to effectively implement policies for people with meritorious services.
Nghe An province has over 45,000 martyrs; over 56,000 wounded and sick soldiers; over 20,000 people who participated in combat and served in combat and were exposed to chemical toxins; over 2,800 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; and over 500,000 families and individuals awarded Resistance War Medals and Decorations.
Upholding the traditional moral principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," the entire political system of the province has joined forces and implemented many meaningful and practical activities such as: Actively mobilizing the establishment of the Gratitude Fund through voluntary contributions with responsibility and affection from agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals both domestically and internationally to work with the State in caring for those who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution, in accordance with the spirit of Government Decree No. 45/2006/ND-CP dated April 28, 2006.
The fundraising campaign for the Gratitude Fund, which raised 5.2 billion VND in the first six months of 2023, has contributed to supporting the renovation of cemeteries and memorials, the construction of memorial plaques bearing the names of martyrs, the construction and repair of houses; visiting revolutionary veterans or their relatives when they are sick, need medical treatment, or when their families face particularly difficult circumstances after their death... Movements to encourage the entire population to participate in supporting the "Gratitude Fund"; providing care and support for Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, severely wounded and sick soldiers, and widowed parents of martyrs; and assisting and creating conditions for revolutionary veterans and policy beneficiary families to develop their economy, alleviate hunger, and reduce poverty... have been actively implemented and widely spread throughout the province, becoming a beautiful cultural aspect of the people of Nghe An.
Currently, the province is paying regular allowances to over 67,000 beneficiaries, totaling over 130 billion VND per month; one-time payments and rehabilitation programs for beneficiaries are also fully implemented. In addition to central government policies, Nghe An province has issued Resolution No. 32/2020/NQ-HĐND stipulating support policies for people with meritorious service to the revolution from poor households in the province for the period 2021-2025, aiming to support vulnerable, elderly, and lonely individuals who are people with meritorious service to the revolution from poor households; and Resolution No. 30/2021/NQ-HĐND supporting the third generation affected by chemical toxins during the war, helping them to have a better life.
According to Mr. Doan Hong Vu, Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, in anticipation of the 76th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th this year, the Department has advised on plans to offer incense and flowers at martyrs' cemeteries and historical sites; visited and presented gifts to some units caring for and nurturing war invalids and sick soldiers; and exemplary meritorious individuals in districts, cities, and towns; advised on the implementation of Decision No. 715/QD-CTN dated June 19, 2023, of the President on giving gifts on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day; and promptly implemented the President's gift-giving to policy beneficiaries.
Accordingly, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, war invalids, those receiving benefits similar to war invalids, and those affected by chemical toxins each received a gift worth 600,000 VND from the President. Other war invalids and other meritorious individuals received gifts worth 300,000 VND or more. Although the gift is small, it carries great significance, representing the heartfelt appreciation and gratitude that the Party and State have consistently shown for those who have made contributions to the nation over the years...