The example of a soldier in peacetime

Returning from the Northern border front with a 2/4 disability, it seemed like his journey of dedication had ended. However, the wounded soldier started a new war, a war on the economic front. In the barren land of Bau Reng, Dong Son ward (formerly Bac Nghia ward, Dong Hoi city), a place few people set foot, the wounded soldier wrote a miraculous story about will, faith and the spirit of learning and following Uncle Ho's example with his own hands. He is veteran, wounded soldier Dang Van Luan.

Veteran Dang Van Luan shares about his years in the military - Photo: LT

Born in 1962, young Dang Van Luan showed his patriotism and desire to contribute to the nation while still in school. At the age of 19, he joined the army. At the end of 1985, new recruit Dang Van Luan joined the fight to protect the northern border. After 3 years of "living on rocks and fighting the enemy", Lieutenant Dang Van Luan was injured and left the army.

He returned to his homeland not only with physical injuries but also with the fierce memories of war. “In 1988, I was seriously injured in a battle, almost sacrificed. During the 3 months I was in Military Hospital 103, I kept encouraging myself: I am still young, I still have time to strive. Therefore, I must not be pessimistic, but must be determined to overcome my physical injuries to rise up in life,” Mr. Luan recalled.

After getting married in 1989, Mr. Luan worked hard to produce. However, life was not easy, his family situation was at a standstill, his wife and 2 children were seriously ill, livestock and farming failed. However, the soldier still had hope in agricultural production. And indeed, his will overcame adversity. In 1999, with a small amount of capital, he started over again on Bau Reng land. The land did not disappoint, after only 1 year, his family escaped poverty and gradually became prosperous.

Up to now, after nearly 30 years of hard work, this veteran has reaped sweet harvests. On an area of nearly 11 hectares of farm, Mr. Luan's family raises and grows crops in a multi-crop direction. In particular, he regularly experiments with many new varieties of plants and animals.

Recently, he experimented with raising a pond of black apple snails, planting more than 1,000 coconut trees and growing off-season corn, all of which yielded good yields and income. In the coming time, he will continue to experiment with growing potatoes on this land. In addition to developing his family's economy , Mr. Luan also actively shares production techniques with local people. Thanks to that, many households in the Bau Reng area have gained more experience to rise up with the agricultural production model.

“I am a 2/4 class disabled veteran, losing 65% of my health, I am truly “crippled”. But the will that was forged during my military service helped me to be determined not to become useless. When my spirit is clear, no matter how difficult it is, I will still overcome it”, CCB Dang Van Luan shared.

The off-season corn garden planted by veteran Dang Van Luan will be harvested in the coming days - Photo: LT

Not only enriching himself and his family, this veteran also always carries within him a sense of responsibility towards the community. Over the years, he has regularly mobilized and contributed to building houses of gratitude for families with preferential policies and poor households to have stable housing. Whenever natural disasters occur, he is not afraid of difficulties and joins hands to call for donations to help his fellow countrymen.

Not only providing material support, Mr. Luan also cares, shares, encourages and gives them the strength to overcome difficulties. For him, helping his fellow countrymen is a way for him to live out his duty as a soldier of Uncle Ho. Even though he has left the battlefield, he has never abandoned his responsibility to his homeland and the Fatherland.

For veteran Dang Van Luan, studying and following the example, morality and style of Ho Chi Minh are not grand slogans but specific daily actions: Hard work, knowing how to share, honesty and responsibility to the community. With his contributions, Mr. Luan has been rewarded many times. Notably, in 2021, he received a certificate of merit from the Prime Minister for his contributions.

Speaking about war veteran Dang Van Luan, Chairman of the War Veterans Association of Dong Son Ward Luong Kim Chung said: “Comrade Dang Van Luan is a shining example of the spirit of “disabled but not useless”, an exemplary war veteran of the locality for many years. Not only effectively implementing emulation movements, he is also a pioneer in social work. That is the noble quality of Uncle Ho’s soldiers in peacetime”.

Veteran Dang Van Luan is one of more than 9,000 war invalids living in Quang Tri province who are overcoming adversity and shining brightly in everyday life. Having once held guns to protect the Fatherland, these veterans are now quietly cultivating green shoots with their own determination to overcome difficulties, self-reliance and aspiration to contribute. In the midst of everyday life, their journey continues, quietly but meaningfully. And they themselves, with all the simplest and most sincere things, have affirmed a truth: "A soldier is not only beautiful in war, but also shines in peacetime".

Le Thuy

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/tam-guong-nguoi-linh-giua-thoi-binh-196236.htm