July extends acts of gratitude.

Showing utmost respect and gratitude to those who have rendered meritorious service.

During the month of July, Mr. To Viet Gian, a disabled veteran (category 4/4) and victim of Agent Orange in Yen Thong hamlet (Van Du commune), received much warm attention from the local youth and the Youth Union of the Provincial People's Committee.

In his community, he received attentive examinations and consultations on eye conditions from doctors and medical staff, was given free medication, and received practical gifts of gratitude. These kind words, sincere sharing, and dedicated care not only warmed his heart but also demonstrated that the sacrifices of the past are always remembered and cherished by today's generations.

Not only Mr. To Viet Gian, but many families of war veterans in Van Du commune also received heartwarming gestures during the July month of gratitude. In Minh Thanh hamlet, Mr. Tran Viet Van (born in 1947), a disabled veteran of category 1/4, has been bedridden for many years due to a serious illness. His wife, who cares for him daily, is also battling cancer. The burden of old age and illness makes life even more difficult for the family.

Understanding these difficulties, local youth union members not only visited and presented heartfelt gifts but also planned to return on July 27th to help the family clean their house. These small acts of kindness help alleviate some of the hardships faced by those who have dedicated their youth to the nation.

In recent days, many disadvantaged families in Van Du commune have received meaningful gifts of gratitude. In addition, war invalids, sick soldiers, and people with meritorious service have received free medical examinations, consultations, and medication right in the locality. These acts of care not only contribute to improving the lives and health of those with meritorious service but also bring warmth and joy during the month of July.

Not only are there soldiers who fell in wartime, but the border region of Nghe An also has martyrs of peacetime – those who sacrificed their lives to protect every inch of the sacred land of the Fatherland.

Among them is martyr and Hero of the People's Armed Forces Va Tong Khu (born in 1969), from Nam Can village, Na Ngoi commune. He sacrificed his life while patrolling the border with his comrades in March 2005, at the age of 36, leaving behind his elderly mother, young wife, and five young children.

For over 20 years, Xong Y Tong, his wife, has quietly taken care of his elderly mother and raised their children. Over the years, their house has deteriorated, with many leaks and no longer safe during the rainy and stormy seasons. For her, a sturdy house has always been a longed-for dream, but the demands of making a living have forced her to put that dream on hold.

This July, that long-awaited dream gradually became a reality. Dozens of local youth union members, along with border guards and other forces in the area, arrived early to help build a new house for the family. The young people busied themselves mixing mortar, transporting materials, and assisting with construction.

Sweat dripped under the scorching sun of the border region, but everyone tried their best to contribute to the completion of the home for the families of fallen soldiers. For the youth union members participating in the project, each brick laid was a silent tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for peace on the border.

These beautiful acts may not erase the losses, but they are enough to make those who remain feel that the sacrifices of their loved ones have never been forgotten…

Extending the seasons of gratitude

Over the years, showing gratitude has become a beautiful tradition in the movements and activities of the youth of Nghe An. Every year, in July, from the lowlands to the highlands, the youth in their green uniforms are present at historical sites, the homes of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, and families of those who have made contributions to the nation.

These familiar activities are extended year after year, and what's valuable is that each year more new ways of doing them are added, so that gratitude is not only remembered but also felt through concrete actions.

As a bridge connecting the past and the present, between those who have fallen and today's generations, martyrs' cemeteries, memorials, and historical sites not only preserve the nation's memory but also cultivate the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source." Therefore, in addition to offering incense in remembrance, young people quietly maintain these sites through practical tasks such as cleaning, beautifying the grounds, caring for graves, and planting trees... making each visit more solemn and meaningful.

At Yen Thanh Martyrs' Cemetery (Yen Thanh commune), more than 1,200 lotus flowers were carefully placed on 443 graves of fallen soldiers by the youth of the rice-growing region. Amidst the tranquil atmosphere, the pink lotus petals seemed to express the gratitude of today's generation to those who laid down their lives for the peace of the country. Along with offering flowers, the youth union members also cleaned each tombstone, tidied up the grounds, and maintained the cleanliness, beauty, and solemnity of the resting place of the martyrs.

Meanwhile, at Thanh Duong Martyrs' Cemetery (Xuan Lam commune), nearly 40 youth union members and members of the Veterans Association cleared weeds, painted fences, cleaned the grounds, transported materials, and beautified the landscape.

At the Nghia Hung Commune Martyrs' Cemetery, which is currently undergoing renovation and upgrading, numerous officials, union members, and young people have actively participated in meaningful tasks such as: sweeping the grounds, collecting waste, clearing weeds, moving materials, and assisting the construction unit in repairing various items, contributing to speeding up the completion of the project..

Beyond simply maintaining memorial sites, young people are bringing their gratitude closer to those who experienced the war through heartfelt gatherings. "Meals of Gratitude," visits, and traditional activities are becoming humane initiatives, bridging the gap between generations through sharing and listening.

At the Nghe An War Invalids Rehabilitation Center, young people from Quynh Phu commune gathered with war invalids and sick soldiers for a warm "family meal." Simple dishes, sincere inquiries, and unpretentious musical performances created a close atmosphere, like a reunion of loved ones.

After the meal, the members went to each room to visit and listen to stories about the wartime struggles. Each memory recounted not only evoked memories of the war years but also became a vivid lesson in patriotism and dedication for the younger generation.

In the same spirit, the Tan Ky Commune Youth Union organized the "Lighting the Flame of Gratitude" program, attracting nearly 200 union members and young people; the Thai Hoa Ward Youth Union, in coordination with the Veterans Association, organized a "Meal of Gratitude - Meeting of Former Youth Volunteers". Although these activities differed in approach, they all shared the same effort to transform gratitude into sharing and connection between generations.

And so, through each July, the promise of gratitude is preserved through simple acts, so that memories are not only remembered but also become a driving force to nurture the responsibility, ideals, and aspirations for contribution of today's youth...