Warmth of the bond between soldiers and civilians

(Baonghean) - In recent times, the soldiers in President Ho Chi Minh's homeland have not only consistently held their weapons to protect the Fatherland but have also carried out many meaningful activities and deeds to help the people in the areas where they are stationed develop the economy, culture, and society, prevent and overcome floods, natural disasters, and forest fires...

On Sunday morning, before sunrise, the grounds of the Nghi An Commune People's Committee in Vinh City were ablaze with flags, slogans, banners, and posters, filled with lively chatter and laughter; the sounds of hoes, shovels, and bamboo brooms created an unusually vibrant and bustling atmosphere. It was learned that this was the "Green Sunday Volunteer Day" of the Youth Union of Brigade 283, participating in helping the people of Nghi An commune improve the landscape and clean up the environment.

This is one of the contents of the plan for coordinating the construction of new rural areas between the unit and the locality in 2015. Nearly 200 officers and soldiers of Battalion 4 and Battalion 14, along with more than 50 youth union members, women's association members, militia forces, and specialized officials of the commune, are diligently working on repairing the commune's People's Committee grounds. Some groups are clearing vegetation, mowing grass, and trimming trees; others are planting new flower beds and ornamental plants, cultivating the soil around the roots of green trees and fruit trees; and others are sweeping and cleaning... the atmosphere of eagerness, urgency, and enthusiasm is clearly visible on every face.

Officers and soldiers of the 414th Engineering Brigade assist local people in fighting forest fires.

Not far from the commune's People's Committee office, at the commune's Martyrs' Memorial, about 20 young people were weeding, sweeping leaves, and removing moss and mold from graves and fences. Present at the work, Mr. Pham Huy Thong, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, said: “The commune government and people are deeply moved by the actions of the officers and soldiers of Brigade 283 in recent times. Every year, the unit and the locality sign a cooperation program to implement the 'new rural development' movement. Based on that, the Brigade organizes 'Volunteer Saturdays' and 'Green Sundays' with local departments and organizations to build projects and implement new rural development criteria. Thanks to this effective joint effort, our commune has now firmly achieved 15 out of 19 criteria in new rural development.”

At the 414th Engineering Brigade during their lunch break, a series of alarm bells suddenly rang out. Within minutes, nearly 200 officers and soldiers, equipped with firefighting gear, had gathered at the unit's stadium. Following a brief announcement and assignment from the brigade commander, the officers and soldiers quickly boarded two Zil 131 trucks and began their mission to help the local people fight the forest fire. Upon reaching the Đụn hill, where the fire was raging, without hesitation, the engineering soldiers—some using fire beaters, others with tinder and blowers, and still others chopping branches—continuously plunged into the smoke to "battle" the raging flames that threatened to consume everything. At this time, forces from local departments, organizations, and the people appeared in increasing numbers, some carrying water, others carrying fire-fighting tools, hoes, rakes, knives, etc. They quickly joined the unit's officers and soldiers in clearing trees and undergrowth to create firebreaks, contain the fire, and prevent it from spreading to other areas. By 8 PM, the fire was basically under control. Just as they returned to the barracks, they received news that another fire had broken out in the protected forest area of ​​Nam Thuong commune (Nam Dan district) and was spreading towards the forest in Van Dien commune. The unit's officers and soldiers immediately set off again. Together with other forces, they stayed up all night battling the fire, and the blaze was finally extinguished.

Mr. Ho Sy Hai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan District, said: “The Party Committee, the government, and the people of our locality are very grateful for the actions of the military units stationed in the area. Whenever natural disasters, floods, forest fires occur, the officers and soldiers of these units are always present in a timely manner to help the locality prevent, combat, and overcome the consequences. In the development of the economy, culture, and society according to the criteria of building new rural areas, many communes face difficulties in mobilizing manpower and machinery, and units such as the Military School of the Military Region, the 414th Engineering Brigade, the Nam Dan District Military Command... have all effectively joined forces to help the locality achieve the criteria firmly. These significant contributions of the officers and soldiers of the military units in the area further strengthen the bond between the military and the people in the homeland of our beloved President Ho Chi Minh.”

Nguyen Duc Cuong

(Mailbox: 5NK - 129, Vinh City)