The "square star" sparkles.

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - From the high mountains to the plains and coastal areas, everywhere in Thanh Hoa province, there are touching stories and examples of silent sacrifice by the militia and self-defense forces. They are the shining "square stars," constantly upholding traditions, dedication, and intelligence, maintaining peace in every village, serving as "living landmarks" and "eyes and ears" on the sea.

The militia force of Tien Trang commune participated in a disaster prevention and search and rescue exercise in the coastal area.

Recognizing the crucial role of the militia in maintaining political security, preventing and mitigating natural disasters, conducting rescue operations, and other grassroots activities, Party committees and authorities at all levels, especially the Party Committee of the Provincial Military Command, have consistently paid attention to and cared for the development of this force over the years. From practical experience, many effective and innovative approaches and valuable lessons have emerged, contributing to the strong, widespread, and effective development of the Thanh Hoa militia.

In Bản Ón, one of the most disadvantaged Hmong villages in Tam Chung commune, every morning, Giàng A Chìa, the village militia leader, and his son prepare to visit border marker 270. At over 40 years old, Giàng A Chìa has spent more than 20 years protecting border markers. Beyond guarding and maintaining the markers, as a militia member, Giàng A Chìa, along with other functional forces, participates in propaganda and mobilization efforts to help villagers raise awareness, abandon drug use and opium, and focus on developing their family economies .

It is known that during the training process, based on the specific characteristics of each locality, the Military Command of mountainous communes has added training content closely related to the actual situation of the area, and strengthened practical training. Specifically, Tam Chung and Muong Chanh communes trained in forest fire prevention and control. Muong Ly commune increased training time on flood and storm prevention plans and search and rescue. Pu Nhi and Nhi Son communes, in addition to training in plans to counter enemy border infiltration, also practiced rescue and disaster prevention...

As for the maritime militia soldiers, they are still considered "living landmarks" and "eyes and ears," as they not only engage in fishing and economic development at sea but also actively participate with other forces in protecting fishing grounds and the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands. In particular, the maritime militia teams actively participate in rescue operations, helping hundreds of fishermen and dozens of vessels in distress to safely return to shore. The maritime militia also regularly cares for and assists disadvantaged households, orphaned children, and elderly people without support.

Over the years, as the standing agency, the Provincial Military Command has actively advised the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, and the Provincial People's Committee on leading and directing the development of the militia force towards a "strong and widespread" direction. To date, the entire province has 1,045 militia units with a total of 44,988 people, reaching 1.21% of the population, including 2 platoots and 8 squads of permanent militia; the political quality is increasingly improving with the percentage of Party members reaching 31.6%. This force always plays a core and leading role in disease prevention and control, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations. They have done a good job in mass mobilization work, "gratitude and repayment" activities, building new rural areas, eradicating hunger and reducing poverty... At the same time, they regularly coordinate with other forces to strengthen patrols, guard duty, checkpoints, and protect the safety of key targets, contributing to maintaining political security and social order in the area.

Effectively implementing the "Strengthening the Organization and Improving the Quality of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Militia Force in the 2021-2025 Period" project, the Provincial Military Command has advised and organized training courses for officers according to the assigned levels, ensuring seriousness and strict adherence to regulations. Annually, 100% of militia units in the province receive training, with troop numbers reaching 97.3% or higher, and training results consistently achieving good or excellent ratings of 70-80%.

Colonel Nguyen Trong Nhi, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Military Command, stated: “In the coming time, to contribute to improving the quality of the militia force, the Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command will continue to advise the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee to promote the dissemination of the Militia Law and its implementing documents and guidelines; and to leverage the strength of the entire political system and the whole population to participate in building a strong and widespread militia force. Adhering to the motto of “basic, practical, and high-quality,” the training program content will be closely aligned with the conditions and tasks of the locality and unit. Through training and refresher courses, we will contribute to improving the capacity and skills of militia officers in advising local Party committees and authorities on the effective implementation of military and national defense work, while also enhancing the training and combat readiness of militia units at the local and grassroots levels.”

Text and photos: Hoang Lan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ngoi-sao-vuong-lap-lanh-257976.htm