At 7:45 in the morning, having left Hà Nội - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted’s ground, they hit the the highway, leaving behind the tumultuous Hà Nội and heading for the historic Northern Areas. For the very first time, they had a chance to enjoy the wide rice field along two sides of the highway and the bright sunshine, fully covering the village, signaling the transition of spring and summer. This allowed them to embrace the peaceful atmosphere of Vietnamese villages.

At this beautiful village in Thuận Thành live the wounded veterans, the cruel denouement of the year-long, fierce battles to protect our beloved country. Time has elapsed, yet the harsh reality remains alive. Here, 97 severely wounded veterans ranking forth (their injuries range from 81% to 100%), including 2 from the Vietnam-France war, 68 from the Vietnam-America war and 27 from the country’s protection and national development period, are constantly fighting with injuries, pain, ailments and severe sequels of the wars.

Here, from the first day of center’s establishment in 4/1965, more than 1000 invalids from different battlefields, different provinces and different people received proper health care treatment. In our nation, now, stand 5 nursing centers for the wounded and Thuận Thành center is the largest of all in terms of the quantity of wounded veterans who are currently treated and the quality of the services.

Mr. Nguyễn Khắc Dư, the Director of this center, shared, ‘90% of the patients here possessed one common injury: impairment of the spine, either leaving them with hemiplegia or being forever paralyzed and sitting on the wheelchair. The remaining 10% either are left with no arms or legs or suffered from vision loss…’

Mr. Nguyễn Khắc Dư, the Director, made a statement

Until now, the center has been treating 20 male veterans and 2 female ones as they are on the shelve for a certain number of reasons. 22 people spend the rest of their lives in the center due to their serious illnesses which are incapable of being treated at home. The sequels of their spinal injuries result in the bottom half being paralyzed (which means they are not able to perform usual personal activities). Most of them suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, cystoscopy, urinary tract infections,… Especially, there is a veteran who was infected with Agent Orange, leading to his son suffering from the same toxins and another one who has been living in a vegetative state for many years…

Representatives from the center attended the  greeting ceremony.

Moreover, many veterans still have small bullet’s fractions from the Vietnam War lying in their spines or their heads,… When the weather changes, these fractions cause them so much pain, eventually leading to severe seizures.

However, according to Mr. Nguyễn Khắc Dư, people living here still bravely endure the pain, remain and embrace the demeanor of an ‘Uncle Ho’s soldier’, bearing in mind Hồ Chí Minh’s words of wisdom: Being wounded doesn’t mean being useless. Most of them have overcome their difficulties, determined to broaden their knowledge, setting an example for everyone else in terms of mental vigor. Some have mastered skills of fixing electrical devices and household appliances such as radio, TV,… This brings them a sense of enjoyment in life and a source of income. Others enjoy writing articles for newspapers, making poems, participating in teaching kids to follow their great ancestors’ footsteps…

Touched by their experiences, Ms. Ninh Hạnh Quyên, the President of Hà Nội - Amsterdam High School’s Union, made a statement, ‘On behalf of the teachers, parents and students from Hà Nội - Amsterdam High School who are here today, I would like to express my utmost sympathy toward the sufferings and vicissitudes you have experienced. You are the brightest examples of patriotism, sacrifice and extraordinary vigor in overcoming terrible losses and diseases. This visit has brought us wonderful experiences and invaluable lessons to follow…’

Ms. Ninh Hạnh Quyên, the President of Hà Nội - Amsterdam’s Union, represented the teachers, parents and students to deliver some words of gratitude.

Ms. Ninh Hạnh Quyên presented banquets of flowers and a picture of Hà Nội - Amsterdam High School to the Center

On behalf of the group, Ms. Ninh Hạnh Quyên presented the school’s donations including 100 shirts, a great deal of confectionery and an amount of 39.200.000 VNĐ to the Center

Mr. Hô Văn Hai (age 63) who joined the Center in 1976 has his two legs paralyzed

The female veterans whose legs are also paralyzed

At the greeting ceremony, students of Hà Nội - Amsterdam High School did some performances as meaningful gifts for the veterans including one from 10 History Class with a song called ‘Nơi đảo xa’, one from 11A2 with ‘Quê Hương Tôi’, and one from 11 History with ‘Nối Vòng Tay Lớn’. Additionally, Mr. Vũ Quốc Lịch had personally made a poem called ‘Tâm Hồn Lính’ for the veterans living in the Center

‘Quê Hương Tôi’ by students from 11A2

Mr. Vũ Quốc Lịch was reading his poem called ‘Tâm Hồn Lính’

‘Tâm Hồn Lính’ written by Mr. Vũ Quốc Lịch

‘Nơi Đảo Xa’ by students from 10 History

The teachers and students of Hà Nội - Amsterdam High School saying their farewell to the veterans before leaving the Center.

Translator: Thai Bao Ngoc (A1 11-14)