VietNamNet Bridge – War injuries haven’t kept veteran Tran Quang Lieu from his dream to become a maths teacher.

One-eyed war veteran Tran Quang Lieu in Hanoi’s Long Bien District considers teaching his passion. — Photo provided by Lieu’s family

Lieu, born in 1954 in the northern province of Thai Binh, joined the army when he was 17 years old, just finishing high school and dreaming of a teaching career.

But like many young people who grew up during war in Vietnam, Lieu joined the army without any hesitance to protect his country.

He said he has never forgotten the enthusiasm, eagerness and determination than emerged inside him as a young soldier.

“At the age of 17, many of us had just said goodbye to pens and textbook to take guns instead,” Lieu recalled, adding that long rough journeys to the battlefield taught them vivid lessons about the hurtful war.

During a fight in Phu My District, the central province of Binh Dinh in 1972, a piece of shrapnel damaged half of his face.

“As soon as I awoke after the injury, I found that I had lost cheekbones and one eye. It hurt but I soon recognised that I was so lucky,” he said.

“I’m alive while many of my comrades died in that fight,” Lieu said.

Returning home from battle with a deformed face and only one eye, Lieu taught himself, taking the university entrance exam and passing while still undergoing treatment on his face.

Veteran Tran Quang Lieu shows his writings from the battlefield. — VNA/VNS Photo Le Van

Professor surgeon Nguyen Huy Phan of 108 Military Hospital, who is known as a founder for Vietnam’s plastic surgery and micro surgery, provided Lieu medical treatment and operated on his face.

Lieu said he was eternally grateful to Phan.

“Phan gave me not only medical treatment but also advice that inspired me to continue realising my dream,” Lieu said.

Between 1972 and 1975, Lieu said he travelled a lot from his hometown to hospital for surgeries. Between surgeries, Lieu studied hard for his exam.

“I passed the exam with high scores which were good enough for me to be a candidate for overseas study,” he said.

“But a Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs official told me that I was refused because of my deformed face,” he added.

After spending five years studying in a local university, Lieu started teaching maths in Hai Duong Technical and Economic Vocational School and the secondary school under garment company May 10 and Thuong Thanh Secondary School in Hanoi’s Long Bien District.

Before and after Lieu’s retirement in 2009, his house has been filled with questions and answers as students in his neighbourhood arrive to ask for help with their maths problems.

“I had the chance to live. I must make my life meaningful,” Lieu said, emphasising that teaching students made him happy.

Lieu’s wife, Nguyen Thi Lieu who used to work in military logistics, said her husband liked teaching and helping people.

The parents of his students sometimes gave the family vegetables and fruits to thank their kids’ teacher, she said.

Lieu said that teaching was not only a way that helps him to earn his living but also to celebrate life.

“I’m happy to see generations of students grow and mature. I’m so pleased when they greet me when they see me on the streets,” he said. 

Source: VNS