From "3 don'ts" to "3 yes's"
During a business trip following the province's merger, we accompanied the head of the Tay Ninh Provincial Military Command to visit the permanent border militia posts and border guard stations. From the Provincial Military Command headquarters, the delegation traveled a long distance, traversing winding roads along the border, flanked by vast protective forests. Only occasionally did we encounter locals gathering bamboo shoots or monkeys frolicking in the middle of the road.
Upon arriving at the Saigon 2 Bridge Border Guard Post, we were warmly welcomed by the soldiers as if we were long-lost relatives. Their stories from the border revealed the hardships and difficulties they face. Far from the city, deep in the forest, their only companions are their comrades, spending their days training, practicing combat readiness plans, and cultivating their own food to improve their meals.
From its establishment until 2021, the Saigon Bridge 2 Militia Post was known as the "three no's post" (no electricity, no phone signal, no clean water). In the evenings, all collective activities were conducted under the light of oil lamps or candles. Despite these difficulties, many comrades voluntarily joined the militia and became attached to it, making the militia post their second home.
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The DQTTBBG (District Border Guard) checkpoint at Saigon Bridge 2 coordinates patrols with the Tong Le Chan Border Guard Station. |
Comrade Do Ngoc Chieu, Squad Leader of the Cau Saigon 2 Border Militia Post, shared: “During the 2021 pandemic, the post received national grid electricity, which was extended from the former Binh Phuoc province. A Viettel mobile base station was set up, but it only ensured communication at the post; communication was impossible during patrols. A well was drilled to ensure daily living needs. Although it still doesn't fully meet daily needs, the 'three essentials' we have today are something we've long wished for.”
Currently, many militia outposts still have to install solar panels to maintain lighting for the unit's daily activities. At night, the weak lights gradually fade as the electricity runs out. The supply of water is also a constant worry; during the rainy season, they scramble to store water in tanks, and during the dry season, they carefully conserve every drop. Despite the hardships, the soldiers on the border remain steadfast.
Comrade Nguyen Van Huynh, a soldier at the Cay Cay Border Guard Post, shared: “During the rainy season, there is water but a lack of electricity; during the dry season, there is electricity but a lack of water. But the brothers at the post always remain united and stick together. If everyone were afraid of difficulties and retreated, who would guard this border? Protecting the border is a sacred responsibility; no matter how difficult, we will not falter. Every shift, every patrol is a responsibility to the Fatherland and the people.”
Protecting the peace and security of the nation's borders.
During the rainy season, the protective forests along the border of Tay Ninh are extensively flooded. Many border markers are located deep within the forest, making each patrol by the militia and border guards even more arduous.
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Representatives from the Tay Ninh Provincial Military Command visited and encouraged the Border Guard Post in Cay Cay hamlet. |
The Border Guard Post in Cay Cay hamlet is tasked with coordinating with the Tong Le Chan Border Guard Station to manage and protect the border section from marker 80 to marker 84.6. To reach these locations, soldiers must carry knives and machetes to clear the forest trails. Comrade Lai Phuoc Thinh, a soldier at the Cay Cay Border Guard Post, recounted: “During the rainy season, the forest paths are full of venomous snakes and leeches. We cover ourselves from head to toe to protect ourselves. The flooded paths force us to wade through water, navigating through vines and sharp thorns, and even encountering green snakes coiled on branches. Each time we reach a marker, we have to spend time clearing the vines and bushes around it. When the marker is clearly visible, everyone solemnly performs a ceremony to salute it. Performing this ritual, everyone feels both sacredness and pride.”
Beyond protecting the borders, the militia forces are also a reliable pillar, safeguarding the security and safety of the people. The silent contributions of militia soldiers continue to protect sovereignty and maintain national security in these border regions. These soldiers remain steadfast, overcoming hardships, clinging to their land, and guarding their posts to preserve the peace of the Fatherland.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/quoc-phong-toan-dan/giu-dat-bien-cuong-noi-gian-kho-1027022
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