Why did 15 Vietnamese war invalids appear on the Mr World 2024 final stage?

Last weekend, the final round of Mr World 2024 held in Vietnam ended with the result that Puerto Rico's representative - Danny Mejía Romero was crowned the highest position. The new King is 27 years old this year and is a famous singer in his home country.

Not only was the result supported by the public, the most touching thing in the audience's heart was probably the contestant and the Organizing Committee's honoring of veterans, which was considered to be rich in humanity. Notably, this meaningful image was spread throughout the world right on the final night of the competition.

The meaning of the appearance of 15 wounded soldiers

The tribute to veterans took place after the Mr. World contestants had completed their entire performance. The Puerto Rican representative (then the new Mr. World) appeared in an elegant outfit and performed the song “You Raise Me Up”. The performance conveyed a social message of joining hands to help those in difficult circumstances.

In a quiet and emotional space, 15 wounded soldiers from Long Dat Nursing Center for Wounded Soldiers and Meritorious People appeared on stage, making the audience and representatives of Mr. World organization truly moved.

The President of Mr World, the judges and the entire audience stood up to pay tribute to Uncle Ho's soldiers. The image of Vietnamese veterans in military uniforms appearing on global television was truly a moving image for many people.

Sharing about this performance, director Hoang Nhat Nam said he came up with the idea of ​​inviting 15 veterans to attend the final night after the Beauty With a Purpose competition. Before that, the group of Mister World contestants had a charity project to give gifts and bring practical values ​​to the veterans association.

The director shared: “I told the President of Beauty with a Purpose Foundation, Ms. Julia Morley, the idea of ​​the Puerto Rico representative's performance featuring Vietnamese veterans. Because today's young generation can live in peace, and their dreams can take flight thanks to the sacrifices of previous generations. And the song 'You Raise Me Up' partly evokes the message of support for today's generation that comes from the past. I find that meaning very touching and proud. Seeing veterans who traveled far and wide in wheelchairs, appearing on the Final night made me choke up.”

The joy of the generation fighting for peace

After the performance of “You Raise Me Up,” 64-year-old veteran Nguyen Cong Thang said he felt honored and happy to participate in a global event. He appeared at the Mr. World program at the invitation of the Organizing Committee to share the story and image of Vietnamese soldiers with the world audience.

Disabled soldier Nguyen Cong Thang joined the revolution at the age of 18 and was wounded on the Cambodian battlefield. He faced many difficulties and confusion in the beginning, but said that his life is now stable.

“I am married, have a wife and children, my grandchildren are grown up, and my life is happy. I came here to spread the message of love for peace: 'He is married, has a wife and children, grandchildren, and a happy life'. Through appearing on stage, I also want to share that behind peace are the sacrifices of many generations of fathers and brothers,” added disabled veteran Nguyen Cong Thang.

Joining the veterans’ group at the Long Dat Nursing Center for War Invalids and Meritorious People, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, was war invalid Thach Thi Lam (75 years old). She said that standing on the stage of the contest was an opportunity to represent war invalids, to let the world know that they are optimistic and love life after peace was restored in Vietnam.

Sharing more about her situation, war invalid Thach Thi Lam said she joined the revolution at the age of 18 and was injured on the battlefield in Laos when she was 21. She is a special war invalid with a disability rate of 84%.

“When the weather changes, we have pain, but thanks to the enthusiastic care of the children, staff and medical staff at the center, we are happy and optimistic until the end of our lives. There are some of my teammates who are 96% disabled, even 100% disabled, but we are still optimistic to live the rest of our lives,” Ms. Thach Thi Lam added.

Mr World 2024 Final Results

Mr. Danny Mejía Romero from Puerto Rico was crowned the highest position. The first runner-up position belonged to Pham Tuan Ngoc (Vietnam). The representative of Spain was named the second runner-up position. The third runner-up title belonged to the representative of Angola.