Major General Nguyen Van Man in the memories of those who remained

More than a month after the "pain of the Bo River Ranger Station", we had a training trip for radio and television collaborators for the entire army in 2020. Here, we met again many reporters and collaborators who had worked together during the rainy days in the Central region, including colleagues from the Propaganda Department, Quang Binh Provincial Military Command. After the happy moment of reunion, as soon as I mentioned Major General Nguyen Van Man, everyone was filled with tears. After the tragedy, I wrote about him many times, but each time, so many familiar and dear images, his affectionate smile appeared as if squeezing my heart, the pen in my hand missed a beat. Only now have I calmed down to recall the chief. Although it is late, these memories are like incense sticks in memory of the spirit of General Man - our beloved chief and brother.

General Nguyen Van Man and the working delegation inspected the flooded area. Photo: Manh Hung

In the mind of Senior Lieutenant Le Thanh Son, a Propaganda officer of the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command, Chief Man is a gentle, simple commander, always friendly and close to officers, soldiers and people. However, as close and affectionate as he is in life, he is also strict, upright and proactive in work. Growing up as a soldier, a subordinate of Chief Man since the days when the chief was still at the grassroots unit, Mr. Son always witnessed the efforts in the silence of Mr. Man. Throughout his military career, no matter what position he held, he always completed all tasks well, always shared hardships and difficulties with his comrades and the people, and was a model for officers and soldiers to learn and follow. When he became an employee of the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Military Command, often accompanying the chief to record images of the activities of the provincial armed forces, Mr. Son understood more and more the shining qualities of the chief. Because this is a land that "protects against storms in the morning and fires in the afternoon", Mr. Man is always present in time in places where natural disasters and fires occur to help people confidently overcome danger.

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

“Chief Man is a straightforward and strict person at work, but he is very close to everyone, always thinking of the people and his comrades. During the years working under him, I learned many good things and right reasons. Even though he was doing rescue work in the Military Region, he still followed 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 his brothers to ensure safety during their training work,” said Mr. Son.

As for Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, who is also working at the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Military Command, she has a special affection for her boss. In particular, because Mr. Man always understands that propaganda work is hard, and she is a woman and it is even harder, so boss Man always cares for and encourages her in work as well as in life. 10 years working with Mr. Man at the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command left her with many memories as well as deep admiration for the general who devoted himself to the country and the people.

Deputy Commander Nguyen Van Man encouraged young people of Military Region 4 to join the army in February 2020. Photo: Manh Hung

She recalled that in October 2013, when storm No. 10 hit, there was heavy rain and rising floods, Man was then the Commander of Regiment 996, directly commanding troops to go through the flood to rescue people. When the VOV transmission tower collapsed in Quang Binh, in the dark of night, he immediately went with the unit's officers and soldiers to the scene, promptly rescuing the victims and overcoming the consequences. In October 2016, when storms and floods devastated his hometown, he was then the Commander of the Provincial Military Command, unable to sit still, sometimes going to Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa with the people, sometimes going down to Quang Trach and Ba Don to grasp the situation and directly commanding the rescue of people. When the floodwaters receded, he promptly deployed units to overcome the consequences of the flood, because he always kept in mind that "first comes water and fire, then comes thieves and bandits"... How precious is the leader who, every time he rushed into the storm and flood, always reminded his subordinates that saving people is the top priority, but safety must be ensured. He told everyone like that, but wherever there was danger, he was always on the front line.

For me, working at the Political Department of Military Region 4, I have been able to travel here and there, so I have known many leaders and colleagues. However, every time I come to the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command, I feel like I am returning home, my second hometown. That joy and feeling of closeness is not only due to the thoughtful care and support that has created conditions for me to fulfill my duties as a unit officer and soldier, but also the highest commander of the unit, at that time Colonel Nguyen Van Man - Commander of the Provincial Military Command, also had very special feelings for me.

The love and affection that the officers and soldiers of the Quang Binh armed forces have for guests is the hospitality of the Quang Binh people, but also partly comes from the leadership mindset of the kind-hearted leader. Working and interacting with Mr. Man, he always kept in mind that when comrades and teammates come to him for a mission, he must be respectful, attentive, and create the most favorable conditions for his teammates to complete their mission well.

I still remember the business trip to the narrowest strip of land in the Central region in October 2017, the first time I met Mr. Man. That day, as soon as I arrived at the Propaganda Department, I saw him preparing to play sports. Knowing that I was working in the Military Region, he kindly told the Propaganda Department to prepare a place to eat and rest, then invited me to play sports with everyone. After the afternoon of sports, he knew that the Propaganda Department had prepared food and drinks, and knew that I would have many professional conversations when I met my comrades again, so he said: "I'm on duty today, come have dinner with me tonight. As for tomorrow's work, I've told the Political Department to connect with the base. The officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces have just helped people overcome the "great flood". Chi Cho talked about the soldiers' willingness to sacrifice themselves to help the people, so you will definitely be able to exploit many good topics. Real people, real events".

The impression of the close and friendly Commander followed me throughout the business trip. Then on the business trips to Quang Binh after that, due to work conditions, I did not have the opportunity to meet him, but the living and working conditions were very smooth and favorable. Until he became Deputy Commander of the Military Region (June 2019), and accompanied the chief on many business trips, I understood more about his decisiveness in work but simplicity and closeness in life. His resolute way of handling work, but imbued with humanity and understanding with subordinates, touched me and was unforgettable.

I still remember the time I went to inspect Factory 467, the Military Region Technical Department, I called to ask to go with him in the car, he said, if he was at the office, he would send a driver to pick me up. During the journey that day, knowing that I was shy, the chief openly started a conversation. The chief asked about his wife, children, family, and then about his "job" very intimately and openly. In the conversation with me, the chief also said "The Military Region Newspaper published a lot of news and articles about rain and floods, especially those of Minh Tu, Lan Anh, Thanh Son, Hoang Cuoi at the Provincial Military Command... I really appreciate those ladies and gentlemen, they are responsible and enthusiastic." His friendly confidences from his kind smile kept lingering in my mind, making the distance between superiors and subordinates completely erased during my subsequent business trips with him.

The people's hearts are always the measure of the quality of a cadre, of a general. Major General Nguyen Van Man will always be a general of the people's hearts, because of his own talent, virtue, and the affection that those who remain have for him. That general has transformed himself into the motherland for the people, just as he still lives in harmony with his comrades, colleagues, and subordinates.