Standing firm on the new front line.

(Baonghean) - Returning home from the battlefield, the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army are once again charging into the "front line" of economic development and nation building. Despite lacking capital and experience, thanks to their diligent learning spirit and willingness to think outside the box and take action, many veterans have demonstrated their resilience and soldierly spirit, overcoming difficulties and becoming successful entrepreneurs.

Create jobs for the children of our comrades.

Veteran Nguyen Thanh Tung, in addition to being the head of the Veterans Association branch in Hamlet 11, Dien Thanh commune (Dien Chau district), is also the owner of a doormat manufacturing workshop, providing jobs for many workers in the commune.

Veteran Nguyen Thanh Tung.

In 1971, Mr. Tung enlisted in the army and fought in the Binh-Tri-Thien battlefield. In 1986, he was discharged and returned to his hometown, suffering from the effects of Agent Orange. With great determination, he overcame his illness, focusing his efforts on developing the economy and building a prosperous and happy family. After much research and learning from many sources, in 2010, he decided to produce doormats for sale.

At the end of 2011, the doormat manufacturing workshop of veteran Nguyen Thanh Tung was established and began operations. The workshop's first workers were the children of veterans from disadvantaged backgrounds and children of Agent Orange victims in the commune. Training these individuals was very difficult, as most of them had physical and intellectual disabilities. However, with Mr. Tung's dedicated guidance, they all became skilled workers. The workshop has grown steadily, now employing nearly 50 workers, including more than 10 Agent Orange victims with disabilities in the commune. His products have been ordered by many large distributors in Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, and other provinces, resulting in more stable income and creating jobs for many workers with earnings ranging from 1.5 to 2 million VND per person per month. Nguyen Thi An (born in 1994), a victim of Agent Orange in Hamlet 9, Dien Thanh Commune, said: “I suffer from the effects of Agent Orange, resulting in deformed legs and arms, making it difficult to find work. Thanks to Mr. Tung for taking me to work at his workshop, I now have a stable income and feel more confident in my abilities.”

Mr. Dau Ngoc Can, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Dien Thanh commune, said: "Not only is Comrade Tung an exemplary veteran association leader, but he also enthusiastically helps provide vocational training to many children from the local area and neighboring communes."

The encouragement and support from veterans' associations and Agent Orange victims' associations at all levels have given Mr. Tung the motivation to overcome difficulties and achieve the success he has today. In the future, he plans to expand the workshop's scale, develop production to provide vocational training, and employ more workers who are children of veterans and Agent Orange victims, helping them overcome life's challenges.

Cultivating the sweet nectar

In 1968, answering the sacred call of the Fatherland, Mr. Bui Ngoc An joined the fierce battles in the Binh-Tri-Thien battlefield. In 1976, he was discharged from the army and returned to his hometown without knowing that he had been exposed to Agent Orange. He got married and moved to Hamlet 11, Quynh Hoa Commune (Quynh Luu District) to live. This veteran only realized the pain of Agent Orange when his three children were born with birth defects, including a daughter with deformities and intellectual disabilities. He and his children are constantly tormented by pain, and the family's circumstances are extremely difficult.

Overcoming his personal grief, the veteran Ấn decided to strive for a better life. He recognized that Hamlet 11, Quỳnh Hoa Commune, was a suitable area for beekeeping, a species he frequently encountered during his time fighting in the forest. Ấn confided: “Initially, my family faced many hardships here. Bees are natural creatures, living freely; if you lack experience in caring for them, they will leave to find a new home. When we first started beekeeping, due to lack of experience, the bees were affected by the weather and frequently suffered from diseases. In addition, they were afflicted with larval rot, insects, and fungi… Many times, seeing the queen bee leave the entire colony made me very sad.”

Veteran Bui Ngoc An.

But Mr. Ấn didn't give up. He not only diligently studied beekeeping techniques through books, newspapers, and radio, but also traveled to distant provinces like Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Tuyen Quang, and even Dak Lak and Gia Lai to learn from others and witness firsthand how people raised bees for honey. His trips often lasted several weeks, or even months. The tireless efforts and perseverance of this veteran finally paid off. From a few beehives, he gradually expanded to 5, then 10. Over the years, the number continued to increase. Today, veteran Bui Ngoc Ấn has nearly 100 original beehives, with a honey harvest of 200 liters per year. With that value, plus the money from selling bee colonies, Mr. Ấn earns around 150 million VND per year. In addition, his beekeeping facility also serves as a source of technical assistance to local people. Former comrades who received help from veteran Bui Ngoc An now have beekeeping businesses that generate high incomes, such as Mr. Ho Van Chien in Quynh My commune, Mr. Nguyen Van De in Quynh Thach, Mr. Bui Van Ngon, and Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa (Quynh Xuan ward, Hoang Mai town)...

The female veteran is "excellent in two areas" (referring to her academic achievements and overall performance).

Tan Hong hamlet is a leading example in the movements of Nghia Tan commune (Nghia Dan district), with its people united in helping each other develop the economy. This is thanks to the tireless contributions of the exemplary female hamlet leader and veteran, Nguyen Thi Phuong.

Veteran Nguyen Thi Phuong.

At the age of 18, after leaving school, Nguyen Thi Phuong embarked on her duty to defend the Fatherland. She fought in the Lang Son battlefield, serving in Unit 472, tasked with building roads. In 1984, upon returning to her hometown, she actively participated in various community movements and activities. Having held positions in the Farmers' Association, Women's Association, and Trade Union, and currently serving as the Hamlet Head and Branch Head of the Veterans' Association in Tan Hong Hamlet, she has contributed to building unity among the people and successfully completed numerous campaigns such as donating land for rural road construction and building new rural areas.

To inspire confidence and earn the people's trust, Ms. Phuong always sets a good example, especially in developing her family's economy. Currently, she is building a livestock farming model with 200 chickens, yielding over 40 million VND in revenue from three batches per year. She also raises 29 pigs, yielding four batches per year, resulting in a net profit of nearly 50 million VND per year after deducting expenses. In addition, she raises cattle and grows various crops. Thanks to her hard work and diligence, veteran Nguyen Thi Phuong has developed her family's economy to become one of the well-off households in the hamlet. Seeing her achievements, the people in the hamlet trust and follow her example. Mr. Nguyen Van Sam, a resident of Tan Hong hamlet, Nghia Tan commune, shared: "Veteran Nguyen Thi Phuong is a shining example of resilience and dedication to her work. As a woman whose husband died in an accident, she has a heavy burden on her family, but she has strived to build her family's economy and made significant contributions to the local community."

Taking on multiple responsibilities, veteran Nguyen Thi Phuong is both father and mother to her family. With the discipline she acquired in the military, she has firmly raised her children to be good people, while also demonstrating herself as an exemplary mother, wholeheartedly devoted to her children.

Text and photos:Quan - Ngan - Trang