I am willing to do anything for my teammates.
Mr. Pham Viet Tinh (born in 1954, from Le Son Bac village, Hoa Tien commune) was a soldier during the years of resistance against the US. As someone who returned after years of bombs and bullets, Mr. Tinh understands the value of peace, the loss and pain of war.
At Hoa Tien cemetery with more than 1,000 martyrs' graves, there are the graves of Mr. Tinh's father and brother resting with his comrades. Therefore, for Mr. Tinh, taking care of the cemetery is not hard work, but on the contrary, he considers it a happiness.
As usual, every day, Mr. Tinh and his wife wake up at 4am to go to the cemetery to water the plants, trim the trees, and take care of the potted plants. Mr. Tinh and his wife go to each tomb area to pull out the weeds clinging to the crevices of the rocks.
On the full moon and new moon days, Mr. Tinh carefully cleans the graves, washes cups and bowls, removes incense sticks, and prepares fruits and flowers to burn as offerings to the souls of the martyrs lying in the cemetery. Thanks to the care of Mr. Tinh and his wife, the stone graves are less cold and lonely.
Even during Tet, Mr. Tinh still diligently goes to the cemetery to turn on the lights and enthusiastically helps the relatives of the martyrs offer incense. In the moment of welcoming the new year, when everyone is gathered together, Mr. Tinh works hard at the cemetery to burn incense for the martyrs. Mr. Tinh believes: "I am lucky to have survived and returned, my brothers are still here. Whatever I can do for my comrades, I am willing to do."
In his 15 years as a caretaker, Mr. Tinh has witnessed countless touching stories. According to Mr. Tinh, there are people from the northern provinces who do not mind the long journey to come here in the hope of finding their relatives, and some burst into tears when they see the names of their relatives on the tombstones. Seeing them sobbing with emotion, he could not help but cry too.
Paying tribute to those who have fallen
Pointing to the ornamental plants around the cemetery, Mr. Tinh passionately shared:
"I take care of these potted plants myself. I take care of them and arrange them meticulously so that they decorate the graves and make the cemetery landscape more beautiful. I see this as a way to show gratitude to those who have died for the country."
Understanding her husband's work, Mr. Tinh's wife - Ms. Dang Thi Ha said: "Our children are grown up, my husband and I can now freely do what we want. Taking care of the martyrs' cemetery is something my husband puts a lot of effort into and shows his gratitude to the martyrs who sacrificed for the Fatherland. My children and I both support it."
Mr. Nguyen Van Hien - Officer in charge of labor, war invalids and social affairs (Hoa Tien commune) said: "We appreciate Mr. Tinh's meaningful work for the heroic martyrs. Over the years, Mr. Tinh has worked very effectively. Relatives of martyrs feel at ease when they come to visit the incense when they see the resting place of their loved ones is always spacious and clean."
In the last months of the year, Mr. Tinh took more care of his sacred work. In the cold weather of late autumn, Mr. Tinh felt like his father, brother, and comrades were by his side.
