Stories about the "bosses"

Representatives of the Women's Army presented gifts to officers and soldiers on Toc Tan B Island.

A delegation from the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army, led by Lieutenant General Le Quang Minh, Deputy Head of the General Political Department, recently visited and inspected the military and civilians on the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago and the DK1 platform. The delegation included several female military personnel representing various departments, grassroots women's associations of agencies and units throughout the army, and the Military Arts Troupe of Military Region 4. Their presence brought much laughter, a joyful atmosphere, and even tears of emotion.

Throughout the voyage of the delegation to Truong Sa on board the Fisheries Patrol vessel KN-290, the women took every opportunity to help the ship's kitchen staff with simple tasks such as picking vegetables, setting the table, and clearing tables.

"Seeing all the kitchen staff being men, working non-stop from 3 a.m. to 11 p.m., I felt I had to take the opportunity to help them out and ease their burden. Especially since the women are already very familiar with cooking at home!" - Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Thi Thanh Tam, President of the Women's Association of the 382nd Artillery Brigade (Military Region 1), told me.

Helping out in the kitchen thus became a small movement among the female members of the task force. Every day, without being assigned, as lunchtime, dinnertime, and supper approached, the women would gather in the kitchen, helping the male cooks, and kindly chatting, even singing for the staff on the ship.

Upon arriving at the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago, the women readily assisted the young soldiers with cleaning, making tea, and serving drinks to the delegates. Initially, the young soldiers addressed them as "Commanders" because they all held the rank of lieutenant colonel, such as Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thuy Cuc, Head of the Reader Services Department of the Military Library; Lieutenant Colonel Cao Thi Ngoc, officer of the National Defense Trade Union; Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Thi Thanh Tam, President of the Women's Association of the 382nd Artillery Brigade… However, after listening to them speak, some soldiers changed their way of addressing them, naturally calling them "mother."

On Da Lat Island, we witnessed Corporal Le Hoang Anh, born in 2004, from Hoang Tien commune, Hoang Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province , clinging to "Mother Ngoc" and tearfully saying, "Mom, you look so much like the commander." When his "commander-mother" asked, "Do you have a girlfriend yet?", Tuan shyly replied:

- I don't have any yet.

"The boss - like a mother" immediately replied:

- Then I'll be your son-in-law.

Tuan and the young soldiers on Da Lat Island laughed heartily together.

Lieutenant General Le Quang Minh, Deputy Head of the General Political Department, and female performing artists from Military Region 4 sang together with the soldiers.

Upon arriving at Truong Son Dong Island, "commander-mother" Nguyen Thuy Cuc immediately brought out her library skills to chat and share reading tips with the young soldiers. Thuy Cuc's way of speaking moved many soldiers, who asked to take photos with "commander-mother" to send back to their families.

When we parted ways and she received a flower made from seashells from the soldiers, I saw tears welling up in Mother Cúc's eyes.

Upon arriving at each island, the "commander-mothers" always presented gifts from the Army Women's Committee to the officers, soldiers, and people on the island. The Women's Association of the Truong Son 97 Branch (12th Army Corps) even sent Lieutenant Colonel Pham Anh Duy, Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Branch, with letters and vegetable seeds to each island.

The women of the 4th Military Region's Performing Arts Troupe performed continuously, singing and dancing tirelessly. They sang and danced on stage, on the ship's deck, for large audiences, for one person, with or without music… Their voices blended with the wind, their voices blended with the sound of the waves. The songs and dances of the officers and soldiers of the 4th Military Region's Performing Arts Troupe reached those far from home, harmonizing with national pride and inspiring love for the homeland through smooth and profound melodies.

On the islands of Da Lat, Thuyen Chai, Da Tay, Truong Sa Dong, Toc Tan B, An Bang... wherever the female artists of the performing arts troupe set foot, they always received special affection from the officers, soldiers, and people on the islands. They participated in exchanges and sang enthusiastically with the artists, performing songs about their homeland. They sang passionately, giving their all, until their voices were hoarse, to the point where they couldn't even eat. Yet, upon meeting the officers and soldiers on the islands, everyone forgot their fatigue and sang along.

Major Le Na, Team Leader of the Singing Team of the 4th Military Region's Performing Arts Troupe, said: She has been to Truong Sa three times, in 2016, 2023, and 2024. Each time, she felt a special emotion at the warm affection of the soldiers and civilians on the island, which allowed her to sing continuously without getting tired.

Goodbye, "boss - mom."

Lieutenant Nguyen Tien Dung, Political Officer of Toc Tan B Island, emotionally stated: "Mothers, wives, and women are always the strong support system and pillar that allows officers and soldiers working in the Truong Sa archipelago to confidently carry out their duties. Their presence is a source of encouragement and motivation, allowing us to work with peace of mind. Especially, the affection of these 'commanders-mothers' for the young soldiers on the island is incomparable."

Lieutenant Colonel Cao Thi Ngoc, an officer of the National Defense Trade Union, confided after her trip to Truong Sa: "As a woman, a wife, and a mother, I understand the homesickness and the efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges of the officers and soldiers. We will be a strong support system so that the officers and soldiers in Truong Sa can work with peace of mind and excellently fulfill all assigned tasks."

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/tu-tuong-van-hoa/chuyen-ve-cac-thu-truong-me-o-truong-sa-667598.html