Where the people need, there are soldiers.

Crossing the forest and wading through streams to reach a remote village

After nearly 10 days of hard work and dedication to help the people of Tia Mung village, Tia Dinh commune, clear nearly 4km of mud and soil; level the layer of soil and rocks that had flooded into people's houses; dismantle, move belongings, and rebuild houses for 14 families; and support Tia Mung Kindergarten to clean up rooms, classrooms, and learning equipment, at noon on August 8, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Cong Quyet, Deputy Chief of Staff of Regiment 82, Division 355 (Military Region 2) received orders from his superiors.

This time, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Cong Quyet, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Regiment, moved to Huoi Va B village, Tia Dinh commune to help people overcome the consequences of the flood. The distance from Chong Dinh village, Tia Dinh commune, where the unit was previously stationed, to Huoi Va B village was about 10km. The only way for the troops to move was through the trail. After calculating the time, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Cong Quyet encouraged the troops to be determined to reach the village before dark.

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 82 open the road to help the villagers. Photo: LUONG XUAN

Giang A Hua, a militiaman in Chong Dinh village, informed that the road to Huoi Va B village is very difficult to travel because it has to cross deep forests, with many dangerous streams; rain and floods can cause many trees to fall; and rocks and soil can slide on both sides of the road. In addition to the equipment and materials that soldiers always carry with them such as hoes, shovels, crowbars, drinking water and some other personal items, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Cong Quyet asked Giang A Hua to ensure that he also has a hand-held chainsaw, ready to handle fallen trees on the road. Indeed, marching into Huoi Va B village with officers and soldiers of Battalion 2, Regiment 82, one can clearly feel the hardships and difficulties of the soldiers, when crossing many landslides, many positions of soil and rocks lying across the road; forest trees cover the path. Sharing sips of water; supporting and helping each other carry each rock, after many hours of trekking through forests, wading streams, climbing passes, when the sunset just fell, Huoi Va B village gradually appeared before the eyes of the young soldiers.

The village chief Giang A Sa, along with the villagers, welcomed the troops with admiration, tight handshakes, and cups of cool water boiled from forest leaves given to the officers and soldiers, dispelling the fatigue and hardships of the march. Lieutenant Colonel Tran Cong Quyet commanded the officers and soldiers of the 82nd Mobile Regiment to temporarily stay at the Cultural House of Huoi Va B village, preparing for new tasks.

Efforts to help people relocate their homes

Since the flood swept through, the peaceful Huoi Va B village, hidden in the valley of Tia Dinh commune, has been submerged in devastation, with fallen trees and mud everywhere.

Clearing the way through the mountain slopes is the only option to enter Huoi Va B village for officers and soldiers of Regiment 82. Photo: LUONG XUAN

Early in the morning of August 10, from the Cultural House of Huoi Va B village, the village chief Giang A Sa, along with the villagers, led officers and soldiers of Regiment 82 to walk up a slope about 3km long to help Mr. Giang A Chi's family, a household affected by the flood, to move their house to a safe place. Mr. Giang A Chi's house was made of mixed wood walls and a filbro cement roof. The flood came, and in the early morning of August 1, Mr. Chi discovered many cracks behind the house. Worried, 4 members of Mr. Giang A Chi's family quickly moved to a relative's house not far away to ensure safety. The house became deserted next to the mountainside and was at risk of collapsing. At Mr. Giang A Chi's family, 8 officers and soldiers of Battalion 2, Regiment 82 helped his family dismantle and transport materials to a safe location.

Nearly half a kilometer away from Mr. Giang A Chi's family, at Mr. Vang A Chu's family, young soldiers of Regiment 82 and local people were using hoes and shovels to remove thick layers of soil and transport them to another location. At this moment, the soldiers only hoped to find the remaining assets for the people. Quickly turning over large pieces of wood, 2 bags of rice belonging to Mr. Chu's family were found by soldiers, the rice seeds had sprouted, making everyone feel heartbroken.

The remaining rice was used by soldiers and people to put into sacks. Photo: HA MIEN

Moving and quickly placing the bags of rice in a high place, Private Quang Van Kien, Platoon 9, Company 7, Battalion 2, Regiment 82, shared: "The lives of people in mountainous areas are already very difficult, now that the flood has come and all their properties and houses have been washed away, it has become even more difficult. Witnessing with our own eyes the damage to Huoi Va B village and many other villages caused by the flood, leaving us devastated, makes us feel heartbroken. We always encourage each other to try harder, to help people in any way we can."

Touched by the affection, support and assistance of the soldiers of the 82nd Regiment, Mr. Giang A Sa, Head of Huoi Va B village said: "Huoi Va B village has 101 households, with 507 people. The flood flooded the village, burying 3 households completely; 10 other families had to move their houses to a safe place; the road to the village was cut off, the amount of mud, houses that had to be leveled and moved was too large, while the human resources in the village could not do all the work. If the soldiers of the 82nd Regiment had not come to help, the people's lives would have encountered many difficulties."

With high spirit, will and determination, not afraid of difficulties and hardships, despite the sweat soaking their green military uniforms; despite the scratches on their bodies, the officers and soldiers of Regiment 82 strive every hour to help the people of Huoi Va B village soon stabilize their lives.

CAO MANH TUONG