Following the unit commander's call for donations, officers and soldiers of Battalion 145 and invited guests enthusiastically responded. The program continuously updated the list of generous donors, sharing some of the difficulties with the families of six new recruits facing hardship. Captain Truong Quoc Nghi, Deputy Political Officer of Battalion 145, shared: "Through this activity, we hope to help the families of soldiers in need; and at the same time, encourage the soldiers to feel more secure in their work, overcome difficulties, and successfully complete their tasks."

Before enlisting, Private Do Quoc Huy, a soldier in Squad 6 (Platoon 2, Company 513), worked at a Shopee agency in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City. His income wasn't high, but it was enough to help his family make ends meet. Private Do Quoc Huy shared: “Every day, my parents work as factory workers in Hung Phu 1 Industrial Park from morning until late evening. Last week, my mother's cardiovascular disease relapsed, and I was very worried. With the financial support I received, I sent money home to buy medicine for my mother and pay tuition for my younger sister, who is in 9th grade.”

Officers from Company 573 (Battalion 145, Brigade 226) met with and encouraged the soldiers.

Private Tran Minh Quan, a soldier in Squad 7 (Platoon 3, Company 573), has lived with his grandmother in Giai Xuan commune (Phong Dien district, Can Tho city) since childhood. For over 18 years, the two have relied on each other in a charity house on land borrowed from relatives, earning a living by weaving bamboo baskets. Private Tran Minh Quan recounted: “My grandmother is 70 years old this year, but she still weaves baskets every day, each selling for about 20,000 to 30,000 dong. When I was at home, I helped her split bamboo and cut down reeds. Now that I've received this gift, plus my savings from my allowance, I'm sending it all back to my grandmother.”

Like Quân, Private Trần Gia Bảo, a soldier in Squad 4, Platoon 2, Company 573, from Bình Tân district ( Vĩnh Long province), used to help his maternal grandparents sell lottery tickets and load and unload goods when he was at home. Gia Bảo confided: "I am truly moved by the affection of everyone in the unit and the affiliated locality. I promise to strive to study and train well, and not let down the affection of my comrades and fellow soldiers."

The list of supporters at the "Comradeship Night" included not only officers and soldiers but also many youth union members from affiliated units in the area where the unit is stationed. Nguyen Trung Kien, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of Binh Thuy Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City, shared: “We mobilized and received enthusiastic participation and support from many youth union members.” At the end of the "Comradeship Night," each family of a soldier in difficult circumstances received over 2 million VND in support. While the amount may not be large, it serves as a source of encouragement and provides strength for the families to overcome difficulties in life; helping the soldiers feel secure in their work and strive to fulfill their military duties well.

Text and photos: BACH KHOA