Bravely put out the fire to save the forest

(Baonghean) - The brave and self-sacrificing action of Tran Ba ​​Cong to save the forest in My Thanh commune, Cong Thanh (Yen Thanh) is a shining example for everyone to learn and follow. That action once again awakens the spirit of patriotism and community of each citizen... Tears and sweat will not fall silently, because from the inanimate soil, life is revived.

The family of the militia captain of Hamlet 5, Bao Thanh Commune, Tran Ba ​​Cong, could not have imagined that on the fateful morning of May 25, 2014, when he participated in fighting the forest fire, he would pass away. In fact, the fire in Thuong Son Commune, Do Luong District had been smoldering and breaking out for several days. Also the previous time, he participated in fighting the forest fire in My Thanh Commune, Cong Thanh, Yen Thanh District on May 22. This time, when he heard the command from the Commune Military Command, he immediately obeyed. Cong set off happily, without the slightest hesitation, even though he knew the "fire" was extremely ferocious, even though he knew his health had not been good for the past few days, even though the housework was still messy - 2 sao of rice had not been harvested, the TV the neighbor had asked him to fix had not been on... Seeing his enthusiasm, his wife, Tran Thi Sau, did not dare to stop him, because more than anyone else, she understood her husband's extremely responsible nature towards all tasks, especially village and neighborhood work; Whatever is good for the collective and the community, he takes it upon himself to shoulder, even though he later takes the “loss” upon himself. Fighting the fire for his “neighbors” is still worrying and worrying, let alone this time the fire is about to spread to the forest of his commune for which he is responsible. Wearing the green uniform of the force, Cong and his teammates and comrades rush towards the mountain - where the fire is spreading rapidly...

Forces participating in extinguishing the forest fire on the border of Thuong Son commune (Do Luong) and Cong Thanh commune (Yen Thanh). Photo: Huu Hoan

The forest fire in Thuong Son commune, Do Luong district is like a ferocious monster, one head crushed and another one grows back. At 3:30 am on May 25, the people of Bao Thanh commune discovered the fire and reported it to the authorities. By 5 am, the fire was about to lick the forest area of ​​the commune. The Command Committee for urgent issues in forest protection and forest fire prevention mobilized 334 people including the mobile militia platoon, police force, departments, unions, militia of hamlets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to participate in fighting the fire. With high determination, by 9 am the fire was completely extinguished. During the fire fighting process, many people were burned, the most serious was Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hoe, the village team leader of hamlet 2, who was injured in the left heel and had to be transferred to the emergency room for treatment. Unexpectedly, at 11 am, the fire broke out again, and the fire fighting force had not had time to rest and had to return to work. But at this time the south wind was blowing strong, the fire was spreading more and more and beyond the commune's ability to fight it. At 1:00 p.m., the fire fighting force of Yen Thanh district was present, reinforcing the fire fighting force of the commune to fight the fire... Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc, a militia soldier of hamlet 9, said: "We were all very tired after fighting the fire all day, but no one could retreat if the fire was not extinguished. At 4:10 p.m., the wind blew stronger, the fire broke out fiercely in the forest area of ​​​​lot 2, compartment 3, Sub-region 983. Predicting that the fire could burn up to lot 3, comrade Tran Ba ​​Cong bravely, regardless of all dangers, rushed in to put out the fire as well as directed the local militia team and the people of hamlet 5 to resolutely prevent the fire from spreading. In the midst of the blazing fire, surrounded by flames on all sides, with a lot of dust and smoke, and high temperatures, comrade Cong was exhausted. Seeing that comrade Cong was no longer able to fight the fire, two other militia comrades, Mr. Phan Dinh Nghia and Tran Dinh Canh, helped Cong to the back and informed the mobile medical team to come and provide emergency aid. However, Because of exhaustion, comrade Cong breathed his last.

Mr. Phan Dinh Trang, Commander of the Military Command of Bao Thanh Commune, sadly said: “Mr. Tran Ba ​​Cong was a demobilized soldier who returned in 1995. In 2008, he volunteered to join the commune militia and self-defense force. Assigned to be the village team leader, Mr. Cong was always enthusiastic and passionate in his work and always completed the assigned tasks. With his gentle and open nature, his comrades in the force and the people trusted, loved and admired him... Knowing that comrade Tran Ba ​​Cong had died, turning grief into action, the firefighting forces of the district and commune were more determined to extinguish the fire to protect the forest. By 4:50 p.m., the fire was completely under control. The Commune Military Command and the Commune People's Committee reported to their superiors about the brave example of Mr. Tran Ba ​​Cong's self-sacrifice; and all levels, sectors and people of the commune came to share the pain, joining hands to help Mr. Cong's family organize the ceremony to bring him to his final resting place"...

The senseless fire destroyed the green color of life, but people cannot be indifferent to each other. After the incident, representatives of the local government came to visit, burn incense, and provide initial support to the family. Sending him off to his homeland, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Kinh, 73 years old, a neighbor of Cong's family, and many, many others shed tears: "I have known Cong since he was a child. He has a gentle and simple personality. At the age of 20, he joined the army, at the age of 22, he was demobilized, then participated in local work as the secretary of the youth union, and then was admitted to the Party. He got married and had children, and the couple always worked hard; his family lived without offending anyone. Cong himself always helped anyone who asked for help." People in Yen Thanh district said: They have never seen such a farewell to the deceased. The procession stretched for 4-5 km, including relatives, friends, and even strangers.

Mr. Cong died while on duty, that was his fate; the grief and sadness were for those who remained. The cries of Ms. Sau - Mr. Cong's wife were sometimes loud, sometimes breathless. His two eldest daughters, one in grade 9, one in grade 7, missed their father so much that they had no desire to eat or drink for several days. The eyes of the youngest son, only 6 years old, were bewildered, speechless with sadness in the empty house without any valuable property. Mr. Cong's old and weak parents, over 80 years old, only learned of their son's death 2 days after he passed away... Mr. Tran Ba ​​Cong's death was a huge loss for his family, especially in the circumstances of a weak wife and young children. What was needed most was comfort and help for Mr. Cong's relatives and family. On May 27, 2014, the People's Committee of Nghe An province decided to posthumously award a Certificate of Merit to Mr. Tran Ba ​​Cong for his brave actions in fighting forest fires in Nghe An province in 2014. The working delegation of the province came to present gifts to Mr. Cong's relatives; visit and support. The decision to posthumously award this Certificate of Merit is an important premise in proposing the President to award the Medal of Courage to Mr. Cong and also to implement policies for his family according to Decree No. 28/CP dated April 29, 1995 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Ordinance on preferential treatment for revolutionary activists, martyrs and their families, war invalids, sick soldiers, resistance fighters, and people with meritorious services to the revolution. Comrade Thai Van Hang - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has directed the Party committees and authorities of Bao Thanh commune and Yen Thanh district to regularly take care of and pay attention to all aspects so that Tran Ba ​​Cong's relatives can overcome difficulties; assigned provincial departments and branches based on the current policies of the State and the brave actions of Tran Ba ​​Cong to advise competent State agencies to fully implement the policies of the Party and State, and duly recognize his contributions.

Leaders of Nghe An province, Yen Thanh district and relatives commemorate Tran Ba ​​Cong. Photo: TC

Knowing the danger but still going because not having to commit oneself, how can one face the conscience and responsibility; the brave and self-sacrificing action of Mr. Tran Ba ​​Cong reminds us of the example of Major Nguyen Tan Ngai - Battalion Commander of the Reserve Battalion, Nam Dong District Military Command (Thua Thien - Hue), from Van Thanh commune, Yen Thanh, who heroically sacrificed himself while organizing fire fighting and forest rescue with his teammates; the example of comrade Nguyen Tai Dung, Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Industry and Trade, who sacrificed himself while performing the mission of providing relief to people affected by floods in storm No. 10 in 2013; of millions of other generations of people, fathers, ancestors, brothers and sisters who sacrificed themselves in the resistance war against foreign invaders to protect the independence and freedom of the country; reminds us of the Truong Sa soldiers, the Vietnamese Coast Guard soldiers who are fighting day and night, ready to sacrifice themselves to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands... Those who sacrifice for the community, for the country and the people, become immortal. The homeland always remembers with deep gratitude those who bravely sacrificed themselves for the country. They rushed into danger simply and calmly; worked with responsibility and conscience, not for anything else. Remembering them - the people's heroes, each citizen today will be determined to uphold the spirit of responsibility, overcome all difficulties, do well their work and duties; as well as determined to do well the policy work, take care of those who stay behind.

Thanh Son