Strengthening Coordination Between Military Command And Veterans Association

(DTO) On the morning of January 9, in Dong Thap Province, the Provincial Military Command (PMC) and the Veterans Associations of five provinces and cities under Military Region 9 held a conference to review coordination efforts in 2025.

The conference was attended by: Major General Huynh Van Ngon, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region 9; and Mr. Phan Van Thang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Thap Province.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr Phan Van Thang emphasized that the cooperative relationship between the Provincial Military Commands and the Veterans Associations of the provinces is not only close in terms of task performance but also deeply imbued with comradeship and solidarity. This bond is naturally forged from shared combat traditions and a common sense of responsibility to the Party, the People, and the homeland.

The conference served as an opportunity to review coordination results, draw practical lessons, and clearly define future coordination tasks in a new context marked by post-merger organizational models, requirements for Party and government building, the impacts of climate change, non-traditional security challenges, and increasingly sophisticated hostile forces.

Dong Thap Province has consistently supported and created the most favorable conditions for the Provincial Military Command and the Veterans Association to effectively carry out their coordination activities.

In 2025, the work of conscription and enlistment was jointly directed and effectively implemented by the Provincial Military Commands and Veterans Associations across the provinces and cities.

In particular, Veterans Associations at all levels played a core role in community and family outreach, helping educate young people on their civic responsibilities in the cause of national construction and defense.

The armed forces and Veterans Associations at all levels also coordinated effectively in mobilizing officers, soldiers, veteran members, and the public to actively participate in national target programs, emulation movements, and campaigns launched by authorities at all levels.

At the same time, they advised Provincial Steering Committees 515, as well as local Party committees and authorities, to lead and coordinate with relevant agencies in searching for and recovering the remains of 238 fallen soldiers, and organizing solemn and respectful memorial and reburial ceremonies.

The Provincial Military Commands and Veterans Associations also coordinated in mobilizing enterprises and benefactors to support funding for housing construction, gift-giving, medical examinations and treatment, and free medicine distribution for policy beneficiary families, underprivileged students, and disadvantaged people.

In addition, effective economic models were developed for public study and replication, contributing to local economic development and the fulfillment of new rural development targets.

Veterans Associations and Former Military Personnel Clubs focused on building a contingent of officials and members with strong political integrity, ethical qualities, and innovative working methods, guided by the motto “Veterans but not outdated; veterans but not conservative.” They maintained unity and successfully fulfilled assigned tasks, earning the trust and affection of Party committees, authorities, and the People, and building the image of veterans as exemplary role models and reliable pillars for the public and younger generations.

Speaking at the conference, Major General Huynh Van Ngon stressed that Veterans Associations should continue to play their core role in igniting revolutionary spirit among officers, soldiers, members, and the public, while raising awareness of the significance and importance of building a strong all-people national defense in close association with a firm defensive posture.

He also called for continued close coordination in implementing military and military rear policies, actively mobilizing resources to support housing construction and repairs for policy beneficiaries, and effectively carrying out related decisions and activities.

In light of the complex developments related to border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, K Teams under Military Region 9 have withdrawn to focus on searching for and recovering the remains of fallen soldiers within Vietnam.

Therefore, Veterans Associations in the provinces and cities are encouraged to further promote their prestige, role, and influence by mobilizing members and the public-including individuals who once served under the former regime—to actively provide information and support efforts to search for and recover fallen soldiers’ remains.

The goal for the dry season of 2025–2026 is to recover 140 sets of remains, contributing to remembrance and gratitude, and upholding the nation’s tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source.”

By HA NAM
Translated by X.QUANG