Hong has refused many times to receive assistance money to rebuild his house but gave those chances for the others, who were also in difficulty.

Hong has two sons, who joined the army and served over many years in border regions. His wife is being tortured by the wound she got as a result of a US bombardment in 1967. His 30-square-metre house, built scores of years ago, is seriously degraded but he could not manage to rebuild it by himself.

Fortunately, in 2011, the Naval Service and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee wanted to present former veterans of the unnamed ships in Quang Binh Province with a financial package, each to rebuild their houses. Each package was worth VND60millions and his comrades all agreed that Hong must take one package.

Hong’s desire was to build a strong house to stand against the storms in the coastal area but VND 60 million was not enough. Knowing this, his comrades decided to ask for more support from friends and sponsors.

Some supported him with money, some with construction materials and some with working days to build the house. Finally, Hong got his desired house which cost around VND150million.

The blue house facing the sea helps Hong remember the days he and his comrades served in the unnamed ships with many legendary victories.

His house, with the contribution of many others, is a real symbol of love and comradeship.

Source People's Army Newspaper Online