A winter night and the warmth of camaraderie.

Tonight, the northeast monsoon winds swept in, bringing with them a biting cold. After my shift, I met the guards still standing solemnly at the gate of the building. In the chilly night, that image suddenly brought me back to my days as a private soldier, with those long winter night shifts.

On some dark nights, with a light drizzle falling in the wind, I would be lying in bed when I heard Hoa's whispered voice: "Wake up. It's your turn to stand guard." In just a few seconds, I'd jump up, straighten myself, sling my rifle over my shoulder, and quickly head to my assigned position.

From the barracks to my guard post, a cold wind lashed against my face, accompanied by icy raindrops that sent shivers down my spine. The chill seeped through my clothes, penetrating my skin, but my feet remained firmly planted at my post, my eyes strained as I observed each assigned target.

Illustration photo: LE DANG MANH

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Winter nights at the unit weren't just about the biting cold. They were also a test of endurance and willpower. While inspecting targets, we encountered the Company Commander and Platoon Leader checking the guard duty. After checking our passwords, demeanor, and equipment, they kindly asked: "Are your padded jackets warm enough? Are your hands and feet cold?" Then they encouraged us to overcome difficulties and complete our mission successfully.

In the midst of the stormy night, those seemingly ordinary questions suddenly felt strangely warm, and my eyes welled up with tears. Not because of the cold, but because of the feeling of being cared for, of being understood in difficult circumstances—a quiet yet deeply felt emotion, so typical of soldiers.

Every gesture and word, both serious and sincere, from the soldiers was like the warmth of a fire on a winter night, silently and persistently instilling in us faith and strength. I suddenly realized that camaraderie in the military is not just about eating, living, and training together, but also about timely care, the responsibility of those who came before to those who come after, and the trust given and preserved through each silent guard duty amidst rain and wind.

Winter will eventually pass, the last cold winds will give way to warm sunshine, but the memories of those winter nights on guard duty, of the biting cold and the warmth radiating from camaraderie will remain in the minds of each soldier for a long time. These memories stayed with us throughout our years in the military, becoming a solid spiritual foundation to face the challenges of life afterward.

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Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/dem-dong-va-hoi-am-tinh-dong-doi-1020843