(VOVworld) – 66-year-old war veteran Truong Van Kiet is a role model in doing business and social activities in Liem An hamlet, Binh Thuan province. He has helped many people in need and contributed significantly to local development.
Kiet’s family lives 3km from the commune’s center. They grow dragon fruit and rice, which earns them approximately 25,000 USD a year. They also produce bricks and operate a grain thresher. Kiet said that he left his home and joined the revolution when he was 16. He returned home after national liberation. Despite being a war invalid with 70% impairment, Kiet has been working to generate a stable income for his family. He said: “I was lucky enough to return home alive. Many of my comrades died and were buried in forests. It is my duty to live up to their sacrifices.”
With that in mind Kiet has been active in community and social activities. 4 years ago he donated 500 square meters of land and 1,000 USD to pave the road in his commune. Others followed suit, contributing another 1,000 USD to pave a road 800 meters long. Huynh Ngoc De of Liem An hamlet said: “This road used to be muddy and Mr. Kiet contributed his land to make it as it is today. Now transporting dragon fruits is much easier.”
Kiet understands the problems of war veterans’ families better than anyone. Early this year he began to give 10 USD a month to Ms. Tran Thi Nga, the relative of a war veteran in his hamlet. Last year, he gave 250 USD to help Hong Liem commune’s clinic buy a new oxygen tank and repair the old one to use as an emergency backup. Head of the Hong Liem clinic Le Thi Lien said: “Our clinic is far from the district and provincial hospital. With Mr. Kiet’s support, we have been able to transport some emergency cases to the provincial hospital.”
Kiet’s social contributions have been applauded by the locals. Do Thi Thu Nhan, Secretary of Ham Thuan Bac district’s Party Committee, said: “Mr. Kiet has done many meaningful things. His deeds have moved people in his hamlet and surrounding areas.”
Mr. Kiet has been honored as a role model in the movement to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example. His example represents the virtue of Uncle Ho’s admonition to soldiers: Down but not out and always serve the homeland and the people.