Retired Lieutenant Colonel for 5 years provides free drinking water and arranges standard scales at rural markets

Born in 1961, Mr. Tran Van Minh joined the army at the age of 18, worked in Laos, Military School of Military Region 4... After decades of dedication to the army, in 2014, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

To Mr. Minh, returning to live in his hometown "is to return to being a normal citizen, but to live happily, healthily, harmoniously and positively with everyone."

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh - Retired Lieutenant Colonel, is a person who does many charity works in Thanh Lien commune (Thanh Chuong). Every Giang market, Mr. Minh brings his family's water filter to the market to serve for free.

Perhaps because of that philosophy of life, over the years he has always strived for an “exemplary lifestyle” that is respected by the local people. Having participated in the Village Front Committee for many years, he is currently the Head of the Lien Tan Village Veterans Association.

He has contributed to the development of the hamlet with the Front Committee, becoming a leading unit with strong movements in the commune. "Although I am retired, I still live enthusiastically like the days when I was in the unit, and I feel happy to contribute anything to the hamlet" - Mr. Minh shared.

Besides actively participating in collective work, Mr. Minh also has many personal volunteer activities. Such as providing free drinking water at Giang market. His house is in front of the market gate, every market day he brings a 10-liter bottle of filtered water to place in front of the gate for people to drink. He has done this regularly for the past 5 years.

Along with providing drinking water, he also bought a standard scale to place in the middle of his yard or hang at the market gate for people to weigh. "The purpose is to help people weigh correctly, to avoid confusion and loss," said Mr. Minh.

Mr. Minh next to the free drinking water bottle in front of Giang market gate.

Every year, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he organizes distribution of Chung cakes to children and the elderly in the neighborhood. Previously, on this occasion, he wrapped and cooked the cakes at home, but later, because this task was too troublesome, he switched to buying cakes to give away.

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, he usually gives away about 100 Chung cakes. On the day of the festival, he diligently brings a basket of cakes to each house to give to each person. He has organized this activity regularly for the past 5 years.

Talking about his charity work, Mr. Minh said: "The budget to maintain these activities is not much, mainly to encourage neighbors". In addition, he is also enthusiastic about taking care of trees in the cultural house, buying some artifacts, planting trees along the village roads to beautify the village...

It is known that Mr. Minh's wife, Mrs. Tran Thi Ly (54 years old), is also a retired soldier. Both husband and wife are party members who live a simple and exemplary life. Mr. Minh's older brother, war invalid Tran Xuan Hoi, also has many contributions to the local social security movement. Everything Mr. Minh does is supported by his family, wife and children.

Mr. Minh gives cakes to the elderly in the neighborhood on the occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival.

As a prestigious person in the neighborhood, trusted by the neighbors, he is also a skillful mediator, helping many families with conflicts to get along, live in harmony and happiness. His house in front of Giang market gate often becomes a place for neighbors to exchange feelings and share village stories.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh (61 years old), a resident in the village, shared: “For us, Mr. Tran Van Minh is an effective mediation center; because he is a moral and exemplary person who is admired by many people.” With his knowledge, he is also willing to advise people in many fields, advise and encourage some drug addicts in the area to stay away from drugs.

Talking about this special veteran, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tiep - Chairman of the Veterans Association of Thanh Lien Commune, Thanh Chuong District affirmed: Mr. Minh's practical actions have great significance in encouraging and motivating the movement in the locality. Veterans consider Mr. Minh as a shining example in everyday life.