Major General Nguyen Van Man in the memories of those who remain.

More than a month after the "tragedy at the Bo River Forest Ranger Station," we had our 2020 all-army radio and television collaborator training course. There, we met many reporters and collaborators who had worked together during those days of torrential rain in Central Vietnam, including colleagues from the Propaganda Department of the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command. After a joyful reunion, when I mentioned Major General Nguyen Van Man, everyone became emotional and tearful. After the tragedy, I tried to write about him many times, but each time, so many familiar, dear images, his affectionate smile, came flooding back, squeezing my heart, and my pen faltered. Only now have I been able to calmly reflect on my superior. Though late, these memories are like a heartfelt tribute to General Man – our beloved superior and elder brother.

General Nguyen Van Man and his delegation inspect the flood-affected area. Photo: Manh Hung

In the mind of Senior Lieutenant Le Thanh Son, a propaganda officer at the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command, Commander Man was a kind, simple, and approachable leader, always friendly and close to the officers, soldiers, and people. However, despite his closeness and affection in personal life, he was equally strict, upright, and proactive in his work. Having risen through the ranks as a soldier and subordinate of Commander Man since his days at the grassroots level, Son had always witnessed Commander Man's quiet efforts. Throughout his military career, regardless of his position, he always performed his duties well, sharing hardships and difficulties with his comrades and the people, serving as a role model for officers and soldiers to learn from and emulate. As a staff member of the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Military Command, frequently accompanying Commander Man to document the activities of the provincial armed forces, Son further understood Commander Man's outstanding qualities. Because the land is "protected from storms in the morning and scorching sun in the afternoon," Man is always there in time to help people overcome natural disasters and fires with confidence.

Comrade Nguyen Van Man inspects the maintenance and repair of equipment and vehicles at Workshop 467. Photo: Manh Hung

“Commander Man is upright and strict in his work, but very approachable to everyone, always thinking of the people and his comrades. During the years I worked under him, I learned many good things. Even while on rescue missions in the Military Region, Commander Man still monitored the flood situation in his hometown, because more than anyone else, he understood the suffering of the people of Quang Binh every rainy and stormy season. He always encouraged officers and soldiers to make efforts to help the people, and reminded the propaganda team to ensure safety during their work,” Anh Son confided.

As for Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, also working at the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Military Command, she has a special affection for her superior. It's especially true because General Man understands the hardships of propaganda work, and how even more challenging it is for a woman. Therefore, he always cares for and encourages her in both her work and personal life. Ten years of working with General Man at the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command has left her with many memories and a deep admiration for this general who wholeheartedly served the country and its people.

Deputy Commander Nguyen Van Man encourages young men of Military Region 4 to enlist in the army in February 2020. Photo: Manh Hung

She recalled that in October 2013, when Typhoon No. 10 struck, bringing heavy rain and rising floods, Mr. Man, then the Regiment Commander of Regiment 996, directly commanded troops to rescue people through the floodwaters. When the VOV transmission tower collapsed in Quang Binh, in the dead of night, he immediately rushed to the scene with officers and soldiers from his unit to rescue victims and mitigate the consequences. In October 2016, when storms and floods devastated his homeland, he was then the Commander of the Provincial Military Command, constantly on edge, sometimes going to Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa districts, other times going down to Quang Trach and Ba Don districts to assess the situation and directly direct rescue efforts. When the floodwaters receded, he promptly deployed units to mitigate the consequences of the flooding, because he always believed that "floods and fires come first, then thieves and bandits"... How admirable is this commander who, every time he braved a storm or flood, always reminded his subordinates that saving people was paramount, but safety had to be ensured. He gave such instructions, yet wherever danger arose, he was always on the front lines.

For me, working at the Political Department of Military Region 4 allowed me to travel and meet many superiors and colleagues. However, every time I came to the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command, I felt like I was returning to my second home. This joy and feeling of closeness stemmed not only from the thoughtful care and support provided by the officers and soldiers of the unit, which enabled me to successfully complete my tasks, but also from the special affection shown to me by the unit's highest-ranking commander at the time, Colonel Nguyen Van Man - Commander of the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command.

The affection and warmth that the officers and soldiers of the Quang Binh armed forces showed to the visitors stemmed not only from the inherent hospitality of the people of Quang Binh, but also partly from the benevolent leadership of their commander. Working with and interacting with Commander Man, I always believed that comrades and fellow soldiers who came to me for duty must be treated with respect and care, creating the most favorable conditions for them to successfully complete their mission.

I still remember my business trip to the narrowest strip of land in Central Vietnam in October 2017, the first time I met Mr. Man. That day, upon arriving at the Propaganda Department, I saw him preparing to play sports. Knowing I was on assignment from the Military Region, he kindly instructed the Propaganda Department staff to prepare my meals and accommodation, then invited me to join them for sports. After the afternoon's sports, knowing that the Propaganda Department staff had prepared dinner and that I would have many professional conversations with my comrades, he said: "I'm on duty today, come have dinner with me tonight. As for tomorrow's work, I've already instructed the Political Department to connect with the local authorities. The officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces just helped the people overcome the 'great flood.' If you talk about the soldiers' willingness to sacrifice themselves to help the people, you'll surely find many interesting topics to discuss. It's a real story, a real event."

The impression of the approachable and friendly Commander stayed with me throughout the entire trip. Later, on subsequent trips to Quang Binh, due to work commitments, I didn't have the opportunity to meet him, but the accommodation and operational conditions were very smooth and convenient. It wasn't until he became Deputy Commander of the Military Region (June 2019), accompanying him on many trips, that I came to understand even more his decisive approach to work yet simple and approachable nature in his personal life. His resolute yet humane and empathetic approach to handling work deeply moved me and I will never forget it.

I remember the time I went to inspect Workshop 467, Military Region Technical Department. I called to ask if I could join him in his car, and he said that if I was at the office, he would send a driver to pick me up. Throughout that journey, knowing I was hesitant, my superior was very open and friendly. He inquired about my wife, children, and family, and then about my "profession," in a very approachable and open manner. In our conversation, he even said, "The Military Region newspaper published a lot of news and articles about the rain and floods, especially from Minh Tú, Lan Anh, Thanh Sơn, and Hoàng Cuối at the Provincial Military Command... I really appreciate those ladies and gentlemen; they are so responsible and enthusiastic." His friendly words, emanating from his kind smile, clung to my mind, completely erasing any superior-subordinate distance between us on subsequent business trips.

The people's trust will always be the measure of a cadre's character, of a general. Major General Nguyen Van Man will forever be a general of the people's hearts, because of his talent, his virtuous character, and because of the affection that those who remain have for him. This general has become one with the motherland for the people, just as he lived harmoniously with his comrades, colleagues, and subordinates.

Manh Hung