(VOVworld) – For 16 years, members of the wounded veterans’ Club of the capital city of Hanoi have visited various remote areas and former battlefields to perform for people and soldiers. Many of them left parts of their bodies at the front, and many others are still living with bomb shrapnel and bullets in their bodies. Setting aside their pain and the hardships of their in lives, they sing to encourage each other.

The veteran-singers performed at a commemoration in Truong Son cemetery in 2009 (photo: trianlietsi.vn)

You’re listening to the veterans singing. Every Tuesday and Saturday, they gather at the Hanoi Cultural Center at 88 Hang Buom street to practice singing. Established in 1997, the Club had 15 initial members who were mostly seriously wounded veterans. Now they have 30 members including wounded veterans, sick soldiers, and former young volunteers. Nguyen Viet Noi, one of the Club’s founders, said it was difficult for them to establish the Club, contact former comrades and apply for a license. It’s moving to watch the performers sitting in wheelchairs enthusiastically singing revolutionary songs. Noi says: "Our most memorable time was when we sang for wounded soldiers in Duy Tien district, Ha Nam province. They are all veterans who have to use wheelchairs. We sang and embraced them, our comrades, and shared the moments of death and survival. We were moved to tears. We sang with the soldiers, who had a glorious past and left behind some parts of their bodies on the battlefields, but have returned to normal life and continue to contribute to society."

The Club has regularly performed for the public on many occasions. Their performances were aired on Radio Voice of Vietnam and TV channels. They sing at military bases, sanatoriums for wounded soldiers, and commemorations for the fallen soldiers, and for heroic Vietnamese mothers in rural areas. Ha Thi Hoa is a Club member. "I watched the wounded soldiers singing on TV. I was moved to tears and was determined to join them when I’m retired. I was welcomed to the Club. My children encouraged me to join as far as my health allows me. In addition to the Club’s activities, I still do housework."

The Club also organizes tours to former battlefields to seek the remains of their comrades. They found 30 sets of remains and returned them to their families. With the national tradition of “the haves help the have-nots”, they saved the proceeds from their performances to build charity houses for social beneficiary families in Soc Son district, support victims of floods in the central region, and to donate to poor people. Nguyen Ngoc Loan is the head of the Club. "The Club will admit demobilized soldiers and former young volunteers to maintain our activities. We plan to expand the Club and promote the soldiers’ spirit to the younger generation.

Regardless of life difficulties, illnesses, and pains, the wounded veterans are still inspired by sacred comradeship to go to the remotest areas to sing for their comrades and people.