It's difficult to know the exact age of a tree without identifying its growth rings—each prominent ring representing a year of the tree. For us soldiers, the years of military training leave their mark on our bodies through strong muscles, tanned skin, and increasingly resolute, confident, decisive faces and eyes, along with distant dreams and aspirations... The age of a soldier is so much like the age of a tree—I think so, because, like the growth rings, the earlier rings become thicker and stronger with each passing year, expanding to embrace and protect the later rings, allowing them to retain their vitality and grow stronger. In the military, those who came after us received support, guidance, and the sharing of experience from those who came before us. This bond formed a continuous thread of affection and a continuation of thought between the older and younger generations, rather than being hindered by generational gaps as in other social relationships.

Leaders and commanders of the 34th Corps and 320th Division, along with local officials, with new recruits after the oath-taking ceremony on June 4, 2025. Photo: ANH SON

Speaking of young soldiers, we enlisted at the age of eighteen or twenty, carrying with us the longing for home and the aspirations and dreams of youth. Initially, upon arriving at the unit, we were surrounded by strangers, intensifying our homesickness. Then, the bond between us grew stronger day by day as we ate, lived, worked, trained, and especially marched together... The more difficult and arduous the times, the more we cared for each other, looking after each other's meals and sleep, encouraging and helping each other overcome hardships to fulfill our sacred duty to the Fatherland. We frequently shared our feelings and dreams, and the dreams of soldiers are countless, but not extravagant, just simple and ordinary.

Summer training ground. On the high points, we practiced tactics under the scorching sun. But when the three long whistles and the command to take a break sounded, that's when the soldiers' dreams became most creative and simple. Break time was usually when we shared our hopes and dreams, then burst into laughter as those dreams gradually shrank, becoming smaller and smaller, leaving us longing for just a bottle of soda or a refreshing ice cream, a gentle breeze to ease the harsh heat of the Central Highlands... On weekends and holidays, we wished for a little longer sleep; those with relatives visiting wished for time to slow down so they could talk and be together longer...

That's how it was for new recruits, young and carefree like us. But what about the "senior" soldiers who had been with the unit for a long time? What did they long for? I asked myself that question, and the answer came to me one rainy afternoon. In the Army, activities usually take place regardless of the weather to train the soldiers, because natural disasters that cause damage to the people, or the enemy, don't wait for the rain to stop and the wind to die down before appearing. That afternoon, we marched as usual, when a sudden thunderstorm came with the rumbling of thunder and lightning, the wind swaying the acacia trees and knocking down coffee bushes in waves. The superiors ordered the unit to move back to the barracks to avoid the lightning and ensure the safety of the soldiers. In the storm, the cold rain, the dreams and aspirations of the soldiers seemed to have a chance to be expressed and revealed. Everyone was chatting animatedly about their families and hometowns as they marched, except for the "Battalion Commander," who was deep in thought. He's usually like that, quiet and strict.

As we passed a kindergarten, the children rushed out onto the porch, chirping sweetly, "Hello, soldier!" Everyone in my unit was happy and waved. A little later, for the first time, the "Platoon Leader" took the initiative to tell us about his personal life. He was from the North, older than us both in age and in military service. The whole platoon's impression of him was his meticulousness in his work, his dignified demeanor, and his eagerness to learn; but most notably, he sang beautifully and often sang songs from the resistance era, only when we weren't around. Strangely, when he went to shower, he would often sing the line: "Let's continue writing the story of peace together, seeing our homeland bright and beautiful in the dawn..."

My "commander" was assigned to a unit in the Central Highlands immediately after graduating from the Army Officer School 1. His family is from the North, and his children, who were the same age as us, excitedly greeted us. He recounted that his family was poor, so when he was young, besides going to school, he helped his family with farming. Life was hard, but it was precisely this poverty that motivated him to strive for academic excellence. He told himself that he was born in peacetime, that he could go to school, and that he had food and clothing thanks to the sacrifices of his ancestors who shed their blood to win independence for the country. And so, he decided to strive to join the Army, hoping to contribute a small part to the cause of protecting the Fatherland and maintaining peace. He also said that the Army is a very good environment, with wonderful camaraderie and fellowship that nothing can replace...

We fell silent after hearing the "Captain's" story, and I personally found the answer to the very simple yet noble dream of a man who chose the military path—a dream shared by many veteran soldiers in general: the dream and aspiration for peace, so that children can live and study in favorable conditions.

In our twenties, we often dreamed of a comfortable life with easy work, high salaries, beautiful houses, luxury cars, material comforts, the chance to travel to exotic lands... and countless other attractive aspects of life depending on each person's preferences and understanding. But after becoming soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh Army, we gradually thought differently. The longer we served, the more deeply we understood our responsibilities to the Fatherland, the people, ourselves, and our families. Our simple dream was for family happiness to be linked to the happiness of the people, for a peaceful and developing country, so that every family could live in peace and happiness, especially the elderly and children who would be well cared for...

Since listening to the "Platoon Leader's" heartfelt words, the soldiers in my platoon have become more mature. We continued our training sessions and marches with increasing frequency, intensity, pressure, and difficulty, but everyone was self-motivated to try their best. Seeing the sweat streaming down their tanned faces, yet their eyes still sparkling with determination, I, like the "Platoon Leader," felt very happy knowing that all the soldiers dreamed of achieving excellent training results.

Having successfully completed our new recruit training, we took our oath, marking the end of our military service as "first-year soldiers." Many of my comrades revealed their dreams of going to school to become officers and serve long-term in the Army; some even boldly dreamed of becoming brilliant generals; while the majority wished to always perform their duties well, and upon discharge, to learn a trade to establish themselves and build a career... Our career aspirations may differ, but we all hope that wherever we are and whatever we do, we will maintain our close friendship, occasionally reunite, and always remember our time in the military with honor and pride!

Private NGUYEN HOANG LONG

(Company 7, Battalion 2, Regiment 48, Division 320, Corps 34)

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/nguoi-chien-si-va-nhung-uoc-mo-binh-di-831640