Female soldier of Quang Nam in the summer sun of the capital

Coming from the coastal countryside of Hoa Phu, Tu Nghia ( Quang Ngai ) with a rich revolutionary tradition, the girl in her twenties possesses a fresh, strong beauty, mixed with a bit of determination, leaving a special impression among the neat rows of soldiers.

From A50 to A80, the mark of youthful determination

In the historic days of April, when Ho Chi Minh City was resplendent in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (A50), Sergeant Major Tran Thi Quyen walked proudly in the formation of the Female Special Forces. With a standard figure, a delicate face, and eyes shining with determination, Quyen was placed in the front row, just one step away from the unit leader. There, every move of the girl from Quang became a pillar for the entire formation.

A break time for the female commando unit, participating in the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2. Photo: NVCC

The A50 mission ended with heroic music and the emotions of millions of people across the country. Quyen and her teammates were moved to tears when they witnessed the endless applause from the stands. “Being present at that sacred moment, I felt like my teammates and I were continuing to write the history of our ancestors with the footsteps of today's youth,” Sergeant Major Tran Thi Quyen confided.

Sergeant Tran Thi Quyen, a soldier of the Female Special Forces. Photo: Provided by the character.

It was thought that after that success, marching to Hanoi to carry out the task of parading and marching to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2 (A80) would be easier. But the reality was completely different. Hanoi in July and August entered the peak of the heat, with some days the temperature reaching 40 degrees.   degree   C, the concrete road surface was burning like fire. The training schedule was tight, on average each day the soldiers had to practice marching 3-4 km, combined with 6-8 hours of formation practice under the scorching heat. For the young girl from the Central region, going to the North for the first time in the harsh summer, the challenge was multiplied.

Overcoming challenges, the bravery of young soldiers

Faced with difficulties, Sergeant Tran Thi Quyen did not allow herself to falter. At 4 a.m., while the capital city was still asleep, Quyen and her teammates organized their ranks and began a day of intense training. Their rapid footsteps, in harmony with the drum beat, echoed on the hot concrete floor.

General training session with the participation of the female commando unit. Photo: Contributor

There were days when the sun was scorching hot, sweat soaked the back of the shirt, the marching boots were soaked, the throat was dry... but Quyen and her teammates never showed any signs of fatigue. She told herself: "No matter how hard it is, we must try, if my teammates can do it, I must do it, even better. If the ranks are not even, what will happen to the team?" It was this reminder that gave her the strength to overcome.

To overcome the weather differences, Quyen often trains herself in her spare time: jogging around the barracks, practicing breathing evenly, increasing endurance. In the block formation, she concentrates highly, paying attention to every small detail, such as: Maintaining the correct posture, not leaning; standing firmly, the center of gravity is on the standing leg; the right hand holds the gun firmly, not letting the gun shift; the turning movements are performed synchronously, decisively, not slowly or hastily; every movement is guaranteed to be even and unified... Tran Thi Quyen's serious efforts make her teammates admire her, and the block cadres feel secure when the "Quang flower" is always one of the standard faces.

During breaks, Quyen often encouraged her teammates: "Whenever you are tired, think of National Day September 2nd, we will proudly walk through the historic Ba Dinh Square, past the beloved Uncle Ho's Mausoleum to the majestic music, all the hardships will then disappear". That simple saying motivated many people.

Pride in the historic parade

Now that the female commando unit has basically completed its training mission, Quang Nam female soldier Tran Thi Quyen is even more excited. The strong steps of her and her teammates are not only the result of hundreds of hours of training and dozens of kilometers of marching each day, but also a symbol of the will and pride of the female soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army.

With a perfect figure and a pretty face, Tran Thi Quyen always stands out in the army. Photo: NVCC

Her comrades still affectionately call Tran Thi Quyen: "The flower of Quang Nam among the army". That flower is not only beautiful because of her elegant features but also strong and steadfast because of her unyielding will. In the neat ranks, Quyen's bright eyes and straight posture are a living testament to the young generation of the Army today: Courageous, disciplined, resilient, and devoted to duty.

Outside of training time, Tran Thi Quyen always participates in the unit's activities. Photo: NVCC

The great national festival is approaching. Then, in the sound of military music echoing in the historic Ba Dinh Square, the footsteps of Sergeant Tran Thi Quyen and her comrades will join the footsteps of thousands of soldiers. That will be a sacred moment, when a female soldier in her twenties will deeply feel the great honor of being present in the great event of the country, continuing the heroic tradition of generations of fathers and brothers with her own sweat, determination and will.

NGUYEN HONG SANG