It is very difficult for us to know the exact age of a tree without the help of identifying the tree rings - each ring is deeply engraved corresponding to a year of the tree. As for us soldiers, the years of training in the army, the thickness of military age is imprinted on the body with firm muscles, tanned skin, the face and eyes gradually become resolute, brave, decisive and even distant dreams and aspirations... The military age of a soldier is so similar to the age of a tree - I think so, because I see that, like the tree rings, the previous ring becomes thicker and stronger over the years, then spreads out, hugs tightly and protects, protects the later rings inside to keep the sap alive and develop more solidly. In the military, the next generation of us is protected, guided and passed on the experience of those who went before us. That relationship creates a long-lasting emotional bond and continues the thinking between the previous generation and the next generation, not hindered by generational differences like in other social relationships.

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

Speaking of young soldiers, we joined the army at the age of eighteen or twenty, carrying with us the baggage of homesickness and the aspirations and wishes of youth. The first time we arrived at the unit, we met only strangers, which made our homesickness even more intense. Then the bond between us gradually became stronger through each day of eating, living, working, training, and especially marching and practicing together... The more difficult and arduous the times, the more we loved each other, took care of each other from meals to sleep, and encouraged and helped each other overcome hardships to fulfill our sacred duty to the Fatherland. We often shared our feelings and dreams, and the dreams of soldiers are countless, but they are not at all noble, just simple everyday things.

Training ground in summer. On high points, we practiced tactics under the blazing sun. However, when the three long whistles and the command to announce a break sounded, that was when the soldiers' dreams were at their most creative and simple. Break time was often when we told each other our hopes and dreams, and then burst out laughing because our dreams gradually became smaller and smaller, only wishing for a bottle of soft drink or a cool ice cream, a breeze to ease the harsh heat of the Central Highlands climate... On weekends and holidays, we wished for a little longer sleep; those who had relatives coming to visit just wished for time to pass slowly so that we could talk and be closer to each other longer...

That is for new soldiers, young and carefree like us. What do the "seniors" who have been with the unit for a long time wish for? I asked myself that, and then the answer came to me on a rainy afternoon. In the Army, activities usually take place regardless of the weather to train the soldiers, because natural disasters cause damage to the people, or the enemy does not wait for the rain to stop and the wind to calm down before appearing? That afternoon, we marched as usual, a sudden thunderstorm came with the rumble of thunder and lightning, the wind made the acacia trees tilt, and knocked down coffee bushes in waves. The superiors ordered the mobile unit to return to the barracks to avoid lightning, ensuring the safety of the soldiers. In the storm, cold rain, the dreams and aspirations of the soldiers seemed to have the opportunity to be revealed and expressed. Everyone marched and talked about their families and hometowns, only the "Be Truong" was deep in thought. He is still the same as usual, quiet and strict.

When we passed a kindergarten, the children from the classroom rushed out onto the porch, chirping and saying “Hello, Uncle Soldier” in a cute and cheerful voice. My whole unit was happy and smiling, waving hello. A moment later, for the first time, the “Chief Be” took the initiative to tell us his personal story. He was from the North, both older and more senior than us. The whole platoon’s impression of him was his meticulousness in work, his dignity and his willingness to learn; but most special were his songs, he sang very well and often sang songs from the resistance war over and over again, and only sang when we were not around. Strangely, when he took a bath, he often sang: “Let’s continue writing the story of peace together, watching our homeland shine brightly in the dawn”...

My "chief" went to work in the Central Highlands right after graduating from the Army Officer School 1. His family is in the North and his children are the same age as the children who excitedly greeted us. He said that his family was poor, so when he was young, after school hours, he helped his family with farming. Life was hard, but it was the poverty that motivated him to strive to study well. He told himself that he was born in peacetime, was able to go to school, had food to eat, and clothes to wear thanks to the generation of his fathers who sacrificed their blood and bones to gain independence for the country. And then, he decided to strive to work in the Army with the desire to contribute a small part to the cause of protecting the Fatherland, preserving peace, at the same time the Army is a very good environment, with great comradeship and teamwork that cannot be exchanged for anything...

We were silent after the story of "Chief Be" and I personally found the answer to the very simple yet noble dream of a person who decided to choose the military career like him, as well as of soldiers with many years of experience in general, which is the dream and aspiration for peace, so that the children born can live and study in favorable conditions.

In our twenties, we often dreamed of a happy life with easy work, high salary, nice house, luxury car, full material things, traveling to strange lands... and countless attractions of life depending on each person's interests and cognitive abilities. But after becoming a soldier of Uncle Ho's Army, we gradually thought differently. The older we are in the army, the more deeply we are aware of our responsibilities to the Fatherland, the people, ourselves, and our families. The simple dream is family happiness associated with the happiness of the people, a peaceful and developed country so that every family can live in peace and happiness, especially the elderly and children are taken care of...

Since the day I heard the "Chief of the Battalion's" confidences, the soldiers in my platoon became more mature. We continued our training sessions and marches with increasing frequency, increasing intensity, increasing pressure and difficulty, but everyone tried their best. Looking at the sweat running down their dark faces but their eyes still sparkling with determination, I and the "Chief of the Battalion" felt very happy because we understood that the soldiers all dreamed of achieving good training results.

Having successfully completed the task of training new soldiers, we took the oath, and from now on we are no longer "new recruits" but start calculating our military age: "First-year soldiers". Many of my comrades "revealed" their dream of going to school to become officers, working long-term in the Army; and some of them even boldly dreamed of becoming talented generals in the future; and the majority of them wished to always complete their missions well, and when they were discharged from the army, they would learn a trade to establish themselves and make a career... Career dreams may be different, but we all hope that in the future, no matter where we are or what we do, we will still maintain our close and attached feelings, occasionally have the opportunity to reunite and always remember our military service with honor and pride!

Private NGUYEN HOANG LONG

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

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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