Efforts to restore normal life in flooded areas

Under the scorching sun of Nghe An, officers and soldiers of Regiment 335, Division 324 started their third day helping people overcome the consequences of the flood. Each person had a job, from dredging mud, shoveling soil, collecting garbage, cleaning windows, tables and chairs, sweeping the school yard to repairing houses, all were done diligently, rhythmically, with faith and strong will to soon bring people back to normal life, lighting up the dream of children in the highlands going to school.

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 335 help people clean up their houses in Xieng Tam village, My Ly commune.

“Bac Ly is a mountainous commune in a remote area. The whole commune has 999 households of Thai, Mong, and Kho Mu ethnic groups living scattered in 13 villages. Economic conditions are extremely difficult, with a high poverty rate. The recent flash floods caused serious damage to people, property, and crops. Inter-village and inter-commune traffic routes were isolated. People's lives were already difficult before, and now they are even more difficult. When we received news that officers and soldiers of Regiment 335, Division 324 (Military Region 4) had arrived in the area to help local Party committees and authorities overcome the consequences of natural disasters, we were encouraged to join the people in overcoming difficulties and hardships. As we felt through two days of active work from morning to evening by the troops, the amount of mud and soil has been cleared, the school grounds have gradually been revived, and the children will be able to welcome the new school year in time,” said comrade Lu Quang Hung, Secretary of the commune. Party Committee letter, Chairman of People's Council of Bac Ly commune emotionally shared.

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 335 clean up Muong Tip Kindergarten.

Soldiers of Regiment 335, Division 324 clean up mud at Bac Ly 2 Primary and Kindergarten.

As the days and months passed, every hour and every minute of the march of the officers and soldiers of Regiment 335, Division 324 to the villages of the border communes was a time when the relationship between the army and the people became closer. It was not only the performance of simple tasks, but also a deep sympathy for the difficulties of the people. Through these small but meaningful actions, they would be a spiritual support and a steadfast milestone in the border area.

Soldiers urgently cleaned up at schools.

Speaking to us, Lieutenant Colonel Phan Van Dung, Deputy Chief of Political Affairs of Division 324, said: “Immediately after receiving instructions from the Commander of Military Region 4, along with information about the serious damage caused by floods in the communes of My Ly, Bac Ly and Muong Tip, particularly difficult areas of Nghe An province; officers and soldiers of Division 324 urgently deployed forces, vehicles, and marched to the affected people. On each soldier's steps were bumpy and dangerous roads, collapsed roofs, and devastated fields... but no one hesitated. We determined that helping people overcome the consequences of natural disasters is a "combat mission in peacetime".

Wherever the people need, there are soldiers. Every day, officers and soldiers, regardless of rain or shine, hardship, work with the people to clean up mud and dirt, repair houses, rebuild schools, and level roads. The drops of sweat soaking their green shirts, combined with the smiles and touching eyes of the people, are the most precious rewards for soldiers.

Article and photos: VO CAO THANG

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