Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (centre) met outstanding war invalids at a gathering held in Hà Nội on Thursday to mark the 72th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — A gathering was held in Hà Nội on Thursday to honour 500 seriously injured war veterans across the nation to mark the 72nd War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27).

Party General Secretary, State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân sent flowers to the event to honour the veterans.

The gathering was attended by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, head of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission Trương Thị Mai, head of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission Võ Văn Thưởng, along with other senior officials.

The 500 veterans at the event represented 1.2 million war invalids, including more than 12,000 with serious injuries, across Việt Nam. They lost at least 81 per cent of their working capability due to war injuries, and most of them are now in their 70s or 80s.

All of the invalids have made exceptional efforts to overcome difficulties to support their families and continue contributing to society, becoming bright examples in their communities.

At present, there are more than 9.2 million people receiving preferential treatment under support policies for revolutionary contributors. They include the families of nearly 1.2 million martyrs, more than 138,000 Vietnamese Heroic Mother title holders, some two million war invalids and sick veterans, and hundreds of thousands of people who were imprisoned by enemy forces or affected by toxic chemicals.

Each year, more than VNĐ32 trillion (US$1.37 billion) from the State budget is spent on policies for revolutionary contributors. Activities to show gratitude to the contributors have also been carried out, helping improve their lives.

Gratitude

Every July, leaders of the Party, State and localities do a lot to show gratitude to veterans and martyrs.

Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh visited Vietnamese Heroic Mother Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Yến, national hero La Văn Cầu and the family of martyr Nguyễn Văn Thạc on Wednesday.

Thịnh said she felt very thankful for the national heroes and martyrs' enormous sacrifice to build and protect the country. She said she would urge relevant agencies to continue to care for veterans and martyrs’ families.

A team from the Government’s Office gifted 100 wheelchairs for people affected by Agent Orange in the central province of Quảng Trị. The team also provided VNĐ250 million ($10,740) to build a kindergarten in the province’s Gio An Commune.

Quảng Trị was one of the most devastated localities during the American War by thousands of tonnes of bombs. The province also witnessed a fierce 81-day-and-night battle at the ancient Quảng Trị Citadel.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs presented 11 charity houses to families of people who contributed to the country and donated VNĐ1 billion ($43,000) to the management board of Trường Sơn National Martyrs' Cemetery in the province.

In Hà Nội, the local administration also presented 387,000 gifts, worth VNĐ156 billion ($6.7 million), to heroic mothers, veterans and martyrs’ families on the occasion. — VNS