Shining image of Uncle Ho's soldier

Steel ramparts in the fight against the epidemic

In 2020,Covid-19 pandemicappeared and raged all over the world. Vietnam is also threatened with over 1,400 infected cases, 35 deaths. Although Nghe An has not had any cases of SARCOV-2 infection, it is still a locality with a high risk of Covid-19 outbreak.

Border guards on duty to prevent Covid-19 on the border. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Determining that the epidemic is still complicated and prolonged, in mid-March,Nghe An Border Guard56 fixed checkpoints and 11 mobile checkpoints have been established at trails and openings along the border to prevent illegal entry and stop the risk of disease entering the country.

Joining the camp, hundreds of officers and soldiers could not return home, had to postpone their weddings, many of them sent invitations to relatives and friends; or in some cases, when their parents passed away, they could not return home for the funeral. Apologizing to their parents, delaying their engagements with their fiancées and relatives, the border guards "stretched" themselves to camp in tents in the wild and poisonous forests for months to carry out their duties.

To prevent the risk of Covid-19 entering the country through illegal immigrants, since the beginning of the year, the station has deployed 100% of its troops; established 5 checkpoints; and conducted patrols and controls on the border line in charge, preventing illegal border crossings. While performing their duties at the checkpoints, officers and soldiers have to face numerous difficulties such as poor food and accommodation conditions, harsh weather, etc. In addition, the steep and dangerous hills make traveling, patrolling and transporting food extremely difficult.

Major Nguyen Hong Duc - Chief of Nam Can International Border Guard Station

Border guards set up checkpoints to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic at the border. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Since the beginning of the year, 5 checkpoints ofNam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, Ky Son (Nghe An) promptly prevented 51 cases of illegal entry, with 90 subjects involved; fined according to regulations with a total amount of more than 200 million VND.

Along the entire border, the border guards discovered 93 cases, with 177 citizens illegally entering Vietnam from across the border; recorded 87 administrative violations with a total fine of VND466 million; and prosecuted 3 subjects for the act of transporting and picking up people to enter and exit the country illegally.

Nearly 1,000 military and police officers and soldiers "eat and live together" in concentrated quarantine areas to take care of the health and daily needs of citizens. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On the anti-epidemic front, not only the border guards, but also the forces on duty in quarantine areas have fulfilled their duty to compatriots and foreigners coming to Vietnam. Following the Government's requirements as well as the regulations of the Ministry of Health, Vietnamese people returning from abroad or foreigners coming to Vietnam must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days. Nghe An province has established 28centralized quarantine areaof the province in 21 districts, cities and towns; started receiving citizens returning from abroad to carry out 14-day quarantine from March 17, 2020.

As of December 2020, Nghe An has quarantined more than 21,000 people. Along with that, nearly 1,000 military and police officers and soldiers have "eaten and lived together" in quarantine areas to take care of the health and daily needs of citizens.

All officers and soldiers serving in quarantine areas always try their best to ensure the best eating and living conditions for citizens. Everyone has a good understanding of the 3 together mentality (eating together, living together, and joining hands to prevent and fight the epidemic) with citizens. In quarantine areas, officers and soldiers always uphold the spirit of responsibility, serving wholeheartedly and thoughtfully to citizens who are performing their epidemic prevention duties.

Colonel Duong Minh Hien - Deputy Commander of Nghe An Provincial Military Command

Witnessing firsthand and being welcomed, cared for attentively, and looked after like relatives by officers and soldiers, the citizens performing their quarantine duties were all very moved.

Mr. Bui Xuan Hieu (63 years old, in Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi) expressed his gratitude: “During the days of quarantine, we were taken care of by the soldiers in every meal, sleep... with a very caring, enthusiastic, thoughtful and responsible spirit. They are truly worthy of the title "Uncle Ho's soldiers".

Officers and soldiers of the Provincial Military Command prepare meals for citizens in the centralized quarantine area. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Ms. Tran Thi Nga (from Dien Hong commune, Dien Chau district; returned from Laos; quarantined at the old headquarters of the Nam Dan District Military Command) shared: "When we first returned, we were very worried, but then we saw the enthusiasm of the service and the full guidance of the officers and soldiers, so we felt secure. This peace of mind can only be achieved because we have returned to our homeland...".

Rescue people in floods

If in the fight against Covid-19, each officer and soldier fights with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy" to minimize the penetration of the disease; is ready to "share food and clothes" to provide the best conditions for their compatriots in quarantine areas..., then in the fight against Covid-19, each officer and soldier fights with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy" to minimize the penetration of the disease; is ready to "share food and clothes" to provide the best conditions for their compatriots in quarantine areas...flood and storm prevention, search and rescueThe province's armed forces do not fear hardship or sacrifice, and are ready to go to the most difficult and dangerous places to help people escape floods, provide food, search for victims, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters.

Due to the impact of the storm, many roads and residential areas in Vinh city were deeply submerged in water. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In the last days of October, Nghe An was overwhelmed by storms and floods. Houses, fields, and people's property were swept away by the raging waters. Villages were isolated, land was eroded, and thousands of people fell into difficult situations. In such dire circumstances, orders to rescue people and minimize the damage caused by natural disasters were issued. The Military Commands of the districts mobilized officers, soldiers, and many means such as cars, motorboats, life jackets, etc. to be present in time to evacuate and rescue people.

Immersed in floodwaters since 5 a.m., participating in the evacuation and relocation of hundreds of people and their properties to safety, but when hearing people calling for help, Captain La Van Hung - Nghi Loc District Military Command did not hesitate to jump into the floodwaters, determined to save the victims.

The victim that Mr. Hung saved from the jaws of death was Nguyen Giao Chien (18 years old), from My Hoa hamlet, Nghi My commune, who was swept away by the flood on his way back from taking cows up the mountain. Hearing the news that her son was saved, Ms. Nguyen Thi Vinh, Chien's mother, could not contain her emotions. Ms. Vinh hugged Mr. Hung tightly and exclaimed: "You gave birth to my son a second time...".

When I rushed out to approach Chien, I was exhausted from being in the water to evacuate people since early morning and his struggles, but later with the help of Nguyen Van Son, I was able to bring Chien to safety. I think, as a soldier, anyone in that situation would jump in to save people.

Captain La Van Hung

Armed forces participate in supporting and evacuating people in floods. Photo: Quang An

Identifying “flood and storm prevention as a combat mission in peacetime”, the provincial armed forces are always present in the most difficult areas to help people respond to storms and floods, overcome the consequences of natural disasters to minimize damage and bring people's lives back to stability.

Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ha - Commander of the Provincial Military Command

Immediately after the flood,Provincial Military Commandmobilized more than 800 officers, soldiers and nearly 2,000 militia and self-defense forces stationed in the province to help people overcome the consequences of the flood. Officers and soldiers actively participated in repairing damaged houses, overcoming landslides, clearing traffic routes, dredging irrigation canals, supporting crop harvesting, cleaning schools..., helping people stabilize their lives soon.

It is difficult to describe all the hardships of the soldiers. They are always present at hot spots to help people when natural disasters and calamities occur. Along with rescue and relief work, they also participate effectively in education, healthcare, health care for the people, environmental protection, movements, social policy work, mobilizing people to practice a cultural lifestyle... The image of soldiers bringing letters to remote poor villages, lighting up hopes and dreams for children in the highlands, sharing with the people the hardships and difficulties has become familiar.

The image of soldiers in peacetime has left a deep impression on the people's hearts. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Being proactive, taking the lead, being close to the people, helping people overcome natural disasters and hardships, that is the battle command in peacetime.military officers and soldiersThe image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" rushing into important and dangerous areas to help people fight natural disasters and epidemics contributes to enhancing the noble qualities and traditions of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the hearts of the people.