The Female War Veteran Who Has Sold Lottery Tickets for Nearly 30 Years to Fulfill a Promise to Her Comrades
Amidst the scorching midday sun of the Western region of Vietnam, the image of an 81-year-old woman quietly selling lottery tickets has become a symbol of sacrifice and loyalty. This is the touching story of a female war veteran who has dedicated nearly her entire life to fulfilling a promise made to her fallen comrades.
The Story's Background
The Western region of Vietnam, with its vast rice fields, winding canals, and scorching sun, provides the backdrop for this remarkable tale. In the sweltering heat of a summer afternoon, the image of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa (81 years old, living in Tan Phu Dong commune, Tan Phu Dong district, Ben Tre province) persistently selling lottery tickets has caused many people to pause and reflect.
Mrs. Hoa is a war veteran who once fought during the resistance war against the Americans. After the war, she returned to her hometown and began selling lottery tickets in 1994 with a single purpose: to save every penny to fulfill a promise made to her comrades who had sacrificed their lives.
Current Work and Living Situation
Every day, Mrs. Hoa starts selling lottery tickets early in the morning and continues until dusk. Despite her advanced age and declining health, she has persevered with this work for nearly 30 years.
"I walk about 10-15 kilometers each day, sometimes more depending on customers. I walk from early morning, through the intense midday heat, and continue in the afternoon to sell more," Mrs. Hoa shared.
The daily income from selling lottery tickets is modest, only about 50,000-100,000 Vietnamese dong, but she still saves every coin for her special purpose.
The Promise to Her Comrades
The story began in 1972, when Mrs. Hoa was a young soldier participating in guerrilla activities in her local area. During a bombing raid, she was wounded and rescued by her comrades.
"When I was injured, my comrades risked their lives to save me from the bombing. Before we parted ways, they asked me that if I survived, I would help the families of those who had sacrificed their lives," Mrs. Hoa recalled with a choked voice.
In 1994, when she had stabilized her life, Mrs. Hoa decided to start selling lottery tickets to fulfill her promise to her comrades. Initially, she only helped 2 families, but gradually expanded to many others.
Sacrifice and Effort
The work of selling lottery tickets is arduous, especially for an elderly person like Mrs. Hoa. Many times, she has suffered from heat stroke and collapsed on the road but remained persistent.
"Sometimes when it rains heavily and the streets are flooded, I still have to go. Sometimes I fall on the road, people see me and take me home, rest for a bit, then I'm back on the road," Mrs. recounted.
However, for Mrs. Hoa, all difficulties pale in comparison to fulfilling the promise made to her fallen comrades.
| Summary Information about Female War Veteran Nguyen Thi Hoa | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Nguyen Thi Hoa |
| Age: | 81 years old |
| Occupation: | Lottery ticket seller |
| Duration of selling lottery tickets: | Nearly 30 years (from 1994 to present) |
| Purpose: | To fulfill a promise to fallen comrades |
Support for Comrades' Families
From the money earned from selling lottery tickets, Mrs. Hoa has helped many families of war veterans and those who contributed to the revolution, especially families of members who sacrificed their lives during the war.
"I set aside about 1-2 million Vietnamese dong each month to help these families. The amount isn't much, but I hope it can share some of their burden," Mrs. Hoa shared.
In addition to cash, she personally prepares small traditional feast trays during festivals and Tet (Lunar New Year) to give to lonely families and severely disabled war veterans.
Community Response
Mrs. Hoa's story has spread and received empathy and admiration from the community. Many people, when buying lottery tickets, intentionally seek her out, even giving her extra money.
"We greatly admire her sacrifice. Whenever we see her selling lottery tickets, we try to buy from her and sometimes give her extra money so she can have a better life," a local resident shared.
Many organizations and individuals have visited and supported her, but she firmly refuses large assistance, only accepting small, practical gifts.
The Significance of the Story
The story of female war veteran Nguyen Thi Hoa is not just about loyalty and sacrifice but also serves as evidence of gratitude and the Vietnamese spirit of "when drinking water, remember its source" (a Vietnamese idiom meaning to be grateful for those who came before).
"I'm just doing what I promised. My comrades sacrificed their lives to protect our country, I'm doing just a small thing to honor their sacrifice," Mrs. Hoa said.
Her story has inspired many young people, especially today's generation, about patriotism, sacrifice, and the spirit of mutual support.
Conclusion
Amidst the scorching midday sun of the Western region, the image of the 81-year-old female war veteran quietly selling lottery tickets has become a symbol of sacrifice and loyalty. The story of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa is not only evidence of gratitude but also a lesson in perseverance, resilience, and the precious spirit of "when drinking water, remember its source."
It is hoped that her story will continue to inspire many people, especially today's youth, about patriotism and the spirit of mutual support, so that no one is left behind.
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