Racing against the floodwaters

Early in the morning of May 21st, the fields of Thong Nhat area, Hoang Cuong commune, were still heavily overcast with dark clouds. Water from low-lying areas had risen, flooding above knee level, and many fields of ripe golden rice had been flattened. In some places, the rice stalks had already begun to sprout due to prolonged submersion. Many villagers stood by the edge of the fields, their eyes filled with despair as they gazed at the rice paddies submerged in water.

Officers and soldiers of the 168th Artillery Brigade (Military Region 2) and the Military Command of Hoang Cuong commune ( Phu Tho province) helped people harvest rice to escape the flood.

Present at the Thong Nhat area's rice fields, Comrade Ha Anh Tuan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoang Cuong commune, couldn't help but feel worried: "Over the past two days, heavy rains in the commune have caused about 45 hectares of rice in the low-lying areas to be flattened and deeply flooded. Many areas of ripe rice cannot be harvested by machine, and the risk of spoilage is very high if not harvested in time."

In response to this urgent situation, Major Nguyen Xuan Hanh, Deputy Commander of the Military Command of Hoang Cuong commune, stated: The commune's Military Command promptly advised the Party Committee and the People's Committee of the commune to mobilize the maximum number of local armed forces, and at the same time requested the support of the 168th Artillery Brigade (Military Region 2) to urgently send forces to the fields to help people harvest rice to escape the flood.

From the early morning, more than 120 officers and soldiers were present in the fields of Thong Nhat and Bac Son areas (Hoang Cuong commune). Some carried sickles, others carried ropes, and some prepared sacks; all quickly fanned out into the fields. Under the murky water and thick mud, the soldiers' sickles swiftly cut through the golden ripe rice plants, bending down to support the rice stalks submerged deep in the water. Many soldiers, their clothes soaked, hurriedly carried heavy bundles of rice across the muddy fields to the shore. Sweat mixed with rainwater streamed down their sun-tanned faces, but no one stopped working. In the vast expanse of waterlogged fields, the shouts and encouraging laughter of the soldiers and villagers eased some of the worries in the face of the natural disaster.

Standing amidst the flooded rice paddies, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hao from Bac Son area was moved to tears as she watched the soldiers laboriously move bundles of rice stalks ashore. Mrs. Hao's family owns nearly an acre of rice paddies that were ready for harvest when heavy, prolonged rains hit. The combine harvesters couldn't access the fields, and they lacked manpower. Without the soldiers' assistance, the rice would have been completely ruined in just a few days.

"The soldiers went down to the fields early in the morning, wading through water all day to help the people. Seeing them work so diligently and devotedly, as if it were their own home, we were deeply moved," Mrs. Hao expressed.

Positive impressions of Uncle Ho's soldiers.

Amidst the flooded fields, the sight of male and female militia officers and soldiers diligently harvesting, bundling, and transporting rice ashore has earned the admiration of the local people. In particular, Lieutenant Colonel Ha Trong Hieu, Assistant Operations Officer, and Senior Lieutenant Do Quoc Doan, staff member of the Hoang Cuong Commune Military Command, are always present in the most difficult areas, sometimes directly harvesting rice in deep water, other times helping the villagers transport rice across muddy, slippery fields.

Carefully tending to each bundle of rice stalks heavy with grain.

At times, heavy rain and strong winds swept away the freshly cut rice stalks, and the soldiers immediately rushed to save them. Many immersed themselves in the water for hours, their hands and feet turning purple, but they still encouraged each other to work quickly to help the villagers minimize losses.

Colonel Nguyen Hong Tien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the 168th Artillery Brigade, was present at the scene commanding the forces assisting the people. He shared: "The unit has identified supporting the people in harvesting rice to escape the flood as an urgent task at this time. After harvesting the rice in Thong Nhat and Bac Son areas, in the coming days, officers and soldiers of the unit will continue to coordinate with the armed forces of the commune to help people in areas 13, 15 and Hoang Xa harvest rice in the flooded areas."

Impressed by the sight of armed forces officers and soldiers braving the rain to help people save their rice crops in flooded fields, Comrade Ha Anh Tuan said that in conditions where people lack manpower and the flooding prevents harvesting machines from operating, the timely support of the army and militia is extremely important and very valuable.

What moved the officials and people of Hoang Cuong commune was not only the timely rescue of large areas of rice fields, but also the sense of responsibility and dedication of the officers and soldiers. The forces did not shy away from hardship, working tirelessly in the rain, forgetting the time to help people harvest each rice field. "In any circumstances, especially during natural disasters and calamities, the officers and soldiers of the armed forces are always the core force, leading the way in helping the people," Comrade Ha Anh Tuan shared.

Late in the afternoon, after the last rice harvests of the day were brought ashore, many soldiers, without even resting, took the opportunity to help the villagers repair the embankments damaged by the water and assist in transporting the rice home. Their mud-stained boots, soaking wet uniforms, and wrinkled hands from hours of soaking in cold water clearly demonstrated the selfless dedication of the Ho Chi Minh's Army soldiers, leaving a deep impression on the people of Hoang Cuong commune.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/bo-doi-dan-quan-giup-dan-cuu-lua-1040683