Resilience in adversity

Recently, we had the opportunity to meet Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu. Our first impression was his bright eyes, sun-tanned skin, and quick, decisive gait—the quintessential image of a combat engineer. In our conversation, he recounted that on September 9, 2024, when the Phong Chau bridge collapsed, his superiors ordered Brigade 249 to urgently construct a replacement pontoon bridge to ensure safe passage and serve the people. “We understood that this wasn’t just an order from our superiors, but a real ‘battle’ in peacetime, a call from the people,” Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu stated.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu, commander of the 60-ton PMP ferry load test before ensuring traffic flow. Photo provided by the subject.

Within just a few hours, 198 officers and soldiers, along with 78 vehicles and pieces of equipment from Brigade 249, set off to carry out their mission amidst torrential rain. The access road to the dock was narrow, and the reinforcement of the dock and the construction of the bridge were carried out under extremely harsh conditions. The Thao River was swirling with a muddy red current, the soil was soft and prone to landslides, and boulders were constantly being swept away by the water. At the construction site, the commander walked along each position on both sides of the dock, holding a walkie-talkie, his eyes closely monitoring every movement of the troops. With high determination and overcoming all difficulties, in just a few days, the engineering troops leveled more than 10,000 cubic meters of earth and rock, dredged 15,000 cubic meters of mud, reinforced both ends of the dock, and installed pontoons.

During the construction of the pier, there was a situation that the engineering soldiers will never forget. The night in Tam Nong was thick with the dampness of the river. Construction lights illuminated the faces of the engineering officers and soldiers, their skin darkened by wind and dust, sweat streaming down their cheeks. They were in the midst of a busy hour, preparing to pour concrete for the foundation of the pontoon bridge, a crucial part of the pier construction. In just a few minutes, the first concrete blocks would cover the entire surface, according to schedule. Suddenly, the blaring siren of an ambulance pierced the night. From the bridgehead, flashing red lights sped towards them. A pregnant woman in labor was in critical condition and needed to cross the river urgently. If they continued pouring concrete, the entire passage would be blocked for at least half an hour, a period that could endanger the woman's life.

Amidst the noise of machinery, wind, waves, and the pressure of meeting deadlines, the supervisor decisively shouted: "Withdraw the pumps! Concrete mixer pull over! Make way for the ambulance!" No one questioned it; everyone followed the order quickly and precisely. The ambulance sped past, disappearing into the night. As the siren faded, everyone returned to work. Around one o'clock in the morning, the concrete pouring shift ended. Everyone was exhausted, their shirts soaked with sweat. Suddenly, they received a phone call announcing: "The mother has given birth safely!" The entire construction site fell silent for a few seconds, then bursts of relieved laughter erupted.

Hearing the story, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu just smiled gently: "We were a step behind schedule, but we managed to preserve the heartbeats of the project. For us, that's the greatest success." In the life of a combat engineer, some orders are carried out with the mind, but there are also orders that resonate from the heart. That is the boundary where reason and the heart of a commander meet, a fragile line, but one that creates the noble qualities of the Ho Chi Minh's soldiers. "Colonel Tu was always decisive, but he never let reason separate from human compassion," shared Major Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Head of Logistics and Technical Services of Brigade 249.

On September 30, 2024, the Phong Chau pontoon bridge, over 200 meters long, officially opened to traffic. As the first vehicle rolled across, people on both banks applauded and cheered, tears mixed with smiles. Amidst the rain, the noise of machinery, and the joyful shouts, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu quietly uttered a simple sentence: “Building the bridge was difficult, but maintaining it and ensuring the safety of people, vehicles, and equipment in the future will be even more challenging and arduous.” The completion of the pontoon bridge not only facilitates convenient travel for the people but also serves as a testament to the will and dedication of the engineering soldiers. From its construction to completion, the pontoon bridge has safely transported nearly 5 million people and vehicles. This also affirms the spirit of responsibility and tireless service, regardless of sun or rain, of the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249.

Colonel Do Huu Tiem, Political Commissar of Brigade 249, recalled: “During the most difficult times, Comrade Nguyen Van Tu was always a source of moral support for the collective. He was always calm, thorough, had a firm grasp of his expertise, and especially knew how to inspire a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in the soldiers. There were times when the water rose and the wind was strong, but he was always present in difficult and dangerous places, directly commanding, his eyes never leaving the water.” From then until now, the soldiers have called him “The Bridge of Trust.”

Maintain the steel pontoon bridge - maintain the people's trust through compassion.

After the Phong Chau pontoon bridge went into operation, bringing joy to the people on both sides of the Thao River, the work of ensuring the bridge's safety began again. "Keeping the bridge safe means keeping the people's trust," Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu shared. For nearly a year, he and the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 were on duty 24/7 by the bridge. Twice a day, they measured the flow rate, checked the technical condition of the pontoon sections, anchors, cables, and joints, and removed trash from the river. When the water level rose more than 2 meters per second, he ordered the bridge to be cut to ensure its safety and the safety of people and vehicles crossing. Even on nights with torrential rain, when the river water swirled red and rose rapidly, he and the soldiers still shone flashlights, inspecting each bridge span, each cable lock, and each anchor point...

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu (far right) receives a commendation from the Minister of National Defense . Photo provided by the subject.

In addition to ensuring traffic flow via pontoon bridges, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu also directed and organized the construction and renovation of access roads to both ends of the ferry terminals to prevent muddy conditions during the rainy season, making travel easier for the local people. Over 500 meters of paved road were constructed by the brigade's officers and soldiers in just 18 days, exceeding the assigned schedule by two days. The completed road has become a clean, beautiful, and convenient transportation route for the people. This road has further strengthened the bond between the military and the people. During the construction of the pontoon bridge, the assembly of ferries, the construction of riverbanks, the building of embankments to prevent erosion, and the road renovation, the local people brought water, fruit, green tea, etc., to the construction site to offer to the soldiers. Many households voluntarily donated land for road construction without receiving compensation. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu shared: "When the people trust us, that is the greatest reward."

Strict in his work, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu is a commander with deep affection for his officers and soldiers. One day, in the midst of a construction peak, Comrade Dang Ngoc Ha, the unit's excavator driver, received news that his wife was experiencing threatened miscarriage and was at risk of premature birth. After hearing the report, without hesitation, he decided to send Comrade Ha home immediately that night. This combination of iron discipline and profound camaraderie is one of the reasons why the unit's officers and soldiers feel secure in their work, and Brigade 249 successfully completes its mission.

Colonel Do Huu Tiem commented: “Comrade Nguyen Van Tu is a highly skilled and exemplary commander in terms of ethics, responsibility, and compassion. He not only commanded the construction of bridges for the people but also built trust among them.” On February 21, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Minister of National Defense for “outstanding achievements in performing duties during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake 2025, contributing to the cause of building the Army, strengthening national defense, and protecting the Fatherland.” The People's Committee of Phu Tho province also awarded a certificate of commendation to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu.

Now that the pontoon bridge has completed its mission and been replaced by a reinforced concrete bridge, the river may have changed course, but one current remains constant: the current of the people's hearts. The image of Commander Nguyen Van Tu and his engineering soldiers will forever remain in the minds of the people of the ancestral land.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-17/nguoi-giu-nhip-cau-cua-long-dan-1011131