The beginning of "meal of love"

At 3am, when the electric light was still flickering in the fog, the kitchen of Regiment 114 was already brightly lit. The neatly dressed cooks moved rhythmically between rows of shiny stainless steel tables. The sound of knives and chopping boards echoed regularly, mixed with the steam rising from the boiling pots of soup. The sweaty faces still had bright smiles, even though the work had started before the sun had even risen.

The cook prepares meals for the soldiers.

“The kitchen is the heart of the unit,” Lieutenant Colonel Dao Thi Kim Cuong, Head of Logistics and Engineering of Regiment 114, shared when we visited the kitchen area. The spacious, airy space with clean white ceramic tiles is cleaned daily, the walls are painted in a light cream color to create a cozy feeling, the large windows are opened to welcome the sunlight and wind. The ceiling fans rotate regularly, cooling the air on hot summer days. The corners of the walls are covered with posters about food safety and hygiene and slogans encouraging logistics work.

The processing area is divided into many clear areas: separate areas for processing meat, fish, and vegetables, cooking areas and tables for storing processed food, and an automatic rice steamer system neatly arranged in a separate corner... Although there are not many modern equipment like other units, everything is arranged scientifically and cleanly according to food safety and hygiene standards. In particular, a daily meal quality monitoring board is prominently hung, where soldiers can give comments and evaluations after each meal - a simple but effective initiative to improve the quality of collective meals.

Check food quantity before cooking.

“In the past, our kitchen was very simple, but thanks to the attention of superiors, now the facilities have been significantly invested. Our goal is to bring soldiers meals that not only ensure nutrition but also remind them of the taste of family,” added Lieutenant Colonel Dao Thi Kim Cuong.

Scientific meals, ensuring nutrition

A weekly menu board hung solemnly on the wall. Today, the soldiers’ lunch consisted of braised pork and eggs, stir-fried okra with garlic, sour soup, and dessert. Familiar dishes, full of the flavor of home, but prepared according to a methodical, scientific process.

“We identify meal quality as a key factor to ensure the health of soldiers. Each meal must not only be delicious but also nutritious, hygienic and economical. That is the command from the heart of a logistics soldier,” shared Captain Truong Quang Hau, Kitchen Manager.

Soldiers serve meals.

It is known that in order to have delicious meals for the soldiers, the logistics department regularly coordinates with the medical staff to create menus suitable for the season, the training characteristics and the physical condition of the soldiers. Calories, proteins, fats, and vitamins are carefully calculated to ensure that each soldier has enough energy for the intense training days.

During intense training days or special missions, the menu is always adjusted accordingly. Meals are supplemented with energy-rich foods such as meat, eggs, and other nutritious vegetables and fruits. Even soldiers who require special diets for health reasons are given careful attention, with separate portions carefully prepared according to the instructions of the military doctor.

A meal filled with camaraderie

At exactly 11am, the gong signaling mealtime rang. Soldiers from the rest rooms quickly lined up neatly and orderly, gathering in the dining hall. The meal trays were neatly arranged on the table. According to the regulations, each tray was for 6 people, with full menu items.

The meal was filled with laughter and conversation. The soldiers sat together, enjoying their meal and discussing their morning exercises or everyday stories. The military culture was evident in the way they maintained order and hygiene, finished their allotted meals and cleaned up together after the meal.

New soldiers eat after training.

“When I first joined the army, I thought the communal meals would be simple, but I didn’t expect the food to be rich and change every day. Today’s soup is like what my mother cooked at home,” Private Chiem Cao Nguyen, Squad 1, Platoon 1, Training Company, Regiment 114 shared.

Sharing his feelings, Private Vo Thanh Nhan, a soldier of Squad 1, Platoon, Training Company, Regiment 14, could not hide his emotions: "Every time we eat braised fish, braised pork with eggs or stuffed tofu, we often joke that we are "home". The atmosphere of the meal helps us bond more closely together."

Observing, we realized that in the meal there was not only the taste of food, but also the close camaraderie. This was a precious source of spiritual energy, a bond that connected the young soldiers with the green uniform, with the unit and with the noble mission of protecting the Fatherland.

Major Vo Hoang Thong, a cook, shared: “At 3 a.m., when the entire barracks were still asleep, we woke up. The job of feeding soldiers requires meticulousness, diligence, and love. We consider soldiers as brothers and sisters in the family. Every day we try to cook delicious and clean food. We are very happy when all the rice in each meal is eaten by the soldiers.”

Behind the fragrant pots of rice and the delicious dishes are the silent devotion and sacrifice of the logistics soldiers. They are not only talented "head chefs" but also the ones who inspire and motivate their teammates through each delicious and nutritious meal.

Meals after training sessions are not only about nutrition, but also about the affection and connection between young soldiers and their units.

The meals after the hard training sessions are not only about nutrition, but also about the affection and connection of the young soldiers with their units. With their dedication and camaraderie in every meal, the logistics soldiers of Regiment 114 have been creating a warm common home, where "military meals" carry the full flavor of home.

When we left the unit, the image that remained in our minds was the rosy faces and bright smiles of the young soldiers after lunch. In that intimate atmosphere, the sincere words of a newly enlisted soldier echoed: "Here, every meal makes me miss home, but also makes me feel like this is home. The food here is truly as delicious as my mother's cooking...".

That simple yet touching saying made us realize that: The camaraderie and the thoughtful care of commanders at all levels gradually turned nostalgia into motivation, turning the unit into a second home - a place to nurture love for the Fatherland from the simplest things.

Story and photos: TRUNG NGHI

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/bua-com-chien-si-am-tinh-dong-doi-dam-tinh-que-huong-827707