Welcoming Spring at the border guards' post

Since the beginning of 2020, given the complicated developments ofCovid-19 pandemic, implementing the direction of superiors, with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy", the provincial Border Guard has chaired and coordinated with other forces to establish 67 fixed and mobile checkpoints on the border to carry out the task of preventing and fighting the epidemic.

Border guards also have to carry out their duties in difficult terrain, mountainous areas, and harsh climate and weather conditions. Photo: Anh Bach

Officers at checkpoint No. 4, Nam Can International Border Guard Station take care of vegetables. Photo: Anh Bach

Not only facing the risk of infection from illegal immigrants, border guards also have to perform their duties in difficult terrain, mountainous areas, and harsh climates and weather conditions.

In the last days of winter, the weather in the western mountainous region becomes even colder. Therefore, in addition to the spiritual deprivation, the border guards also face many difficulties in life. As simple as increasing production at the Covid-19 prevention and control post No. 4 of the Nam Can International Border Post, despite the wet weather, officers and soldiers still have to take turns watering vegetables regularly to wash away the frost; and then researching to choose vegetable varieties to grow that are suitable for the climate to ensure green vegetables for daily meals is also of interest to them to improve efficiency.

Along with increasing production to ensure food and vegetables on site, there are some indispensable foods at Covid-19 prevention checkpoints such as dried fish and dried peanuts. These are foods that the Border Guard checkpoints must regularly stock to serve the bad weather days, when the unit cannot send people to supply the checkpoints. Captain Ngo Quang Hieu - Deputy Political Commissar of the Border Guard StationNam Can International Border Gatesaid: “The comrades have a good mindset, are determined to overcome difficulties and are determined to stay at the checkpoint. Many comrades have volunteered to be on duty during Tet and at the checkpoint until the end of the epidemic to ensure the safety of people to have a peaceful Tet and do a good job of preventing and fighting the epidemic at the border.”

The joy of the officers of the checkpoint team after patrolling. Photo: Anh Bach

In addition, there are checkpoints far from the unit and residential areas, ensuring food for officers and soldiers is mainly by carrying on foot and marching through the forest. Major Nguyen Ba Quyen - Head of Huoi Co checkpoint, Nhon Mai Border Post shared: "There were many days when it rained for 2 consecutive weeks, we had to carry rice back and slipped, the rice even got wet, we had to light a fire to dry the rice. When cooking, we could smell the smoke."

Some checkpoints also have to have plans to avoid wild animal attacks. For example, at the checkpoint of Phuc Son Border Guard Station, officers and soldiers here have to use plastic bottles, put rocks in them and hang them around the checkpoint to warn and prevent wild elephants from attacking the checkpoint. These items will make a sound when the elephants touch the ropes, thereby helping the soldiers detect and proactively avoid them.

The Youth and Women's Union of the Provincial Border Guard wrapped cakes and pickled onions to give to the checkpoints. Photo: Anh Bach

Although familiar with the terrain and weather conditions of the mountainous region, however, during peak season,fight against Covid-19, the dense patrols have more or less affected the health of border guards. In these difficult times, we can understand more clearly the sacrifices and losses that the soldiers in green uniforms have suffered. Many officers and soldiers have put aside their personal affairs to participate in the epidemic prevention and control work such as postponing weddings, wives giving birth, parents, wives and children who are sick and cannot return home... The peace of the people is exchanged for the hardships and difficulties of the border guards, but that is also the motivation for officers and soldiers of the entire force to resolutely uphold the slogan "The post is home, the border is homeland". Hundreds of illegal border crossers were promptly arrested and handled according to the provisions of the law. Up to now, Nghe An province is still considered a locality that has done a good job in preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic. All of these achievements have had a significant contribution from the border guards from the steel peak in the deep forest border.

Huoi Co village prepares Tet Chung cake. Photo: Anh Bach

Understanding the silent sacrifices of the officers and soldiers of the Provincial Border Guard, all levels, sectors, organizations, individuals, especially superiors, leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Committee,Provincial Fatherland Front Committeevisited and encouraged officers and soldiers on duty at checkpoints. The Youth Union and Women's Union of the provincial Border Guard also organized Chung cake wrapping and pickled onions to send to the checkpoints, with the wish to send the feelings and sharing of the rear line to the soldiers who are silently carrying out the task of fighting the epidemic at the border.

In particular, ethnic minorities in the border areas also have a lot of affection for the officers and soldiers at the checkpoints. For example, at the Huoi Co checkpoint, Nhon Mai Border Post, people brought local products such as cassava, ginger, rice, dong leaves, etc. to give to the checkpoint team. When people come to visit, the checkpoint team has more laughter. Mr. Va Khua Do - Head of Huoi Co village, Nhon Mai commune shared: "I feel sorry for the soldiers, they cannot return home during Tet but still patrol so that the people can celebrate Tet with peace of mind. I hope that after Tet, the epidemic will be controlled so that they can return to visit their wives and children...". That concern is a great source of encouragement for the officers and soldiers, especially during the cold season in the highlands.

To keep people safe, border guards face the risk of infection from illegal immigrants. Photo: Anh Bach

Peach blossoms in the mountains and forests of the border have begun to sprout. The time that border guards have been stationed at Covid-19 prevention and control posts has been counted in years. For them, the slogan "The post is home, the border is homeland" comes from their hearts, from the responsibility of soldiers to the Party and the People. Therefore, the Tet banh chung, even though not full of fatty meat and pickled onions, will still accompany them in writing the marching song during the traditional happy days of the whole nation.