Visiting and giving gifts on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

On July 25, 2008, a delegation from the Trade Union, the Veterans Association, the Youth Union, and the Student Association of the University visited and presented gifts to the rehabilitation centers for severely wounded and sick soldiers in Ha Nam and Ninh Binh provinces.

During a visit to the Liem Can Center for the Rehabilitation of Severely Injured and Disabled Veterans in Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam Province, the delegation met with and presented gifts to the severely injured and disabled veterans receiving treatment there. The Center is one of the outstanding units of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. Due to its many outstanding achievements in caring for and rehabilitating injured and disabled veterans, in 2006, the Center was honored by the State with the title of Hero of Labor. This was the first unit in the sector to receive this prestigious title.

On the same day, the delegation visited the Nho Quan Rehabilitation Center for Wounded and Sick Soldiers in Ninh Binh. This was the second time the delegation had visited this special rehabilitation center.

The center currently cares for and treats nearly 200 war invalids, almost half of whom are taken home by their families for care, returning to the center when they are sick or on holidays. The remaining more than 60% suffer from mental illness and are unable to manage their daily lives independently. The rehabilitation center also manages a cemetery, the resting place of over 100 war invalids who have been cared for and treated there since the restoration of peace. The oldest person currently receiving treatment here is 83 years old, and the youngest is 44 years old.

The delegation was welcomed by leaders, doctors, nurses, staff, and representatives of the relatively alert war invalids. The delegation presented gifts from the Trade Union, the Veterans Association of the school, and Xuan Thu Trading and Technical Company to the center: a complete auditorium sound system including an amplifier, speakers, microphones, video player, television, and other gifts. The delegation visited the treatment wards, met with, encouraged, and interacted with the war invalids.

The delegation from the School and the Center visited the cemetery to lay wreaths and light incense to pay respects to the souls who have passed away. Due to specific circumstances, these fallen soldiers have not yet had relatives come to claim their bodies after their deaths. The Center is still responsible for offering incense and prayers, even though it has not yet received funding for this expense. Perhaps this is the only cemetery in the country where loyal and devoted sons and daughters, who have passed away, have not yet been reunited with their families and loved ones, and have not yet been recognized as martyrs.

•Vu Thanh Tung
(Chairman of the School's Veterans Association)