Silent warriors and heartfelt sentiments from both banks of the river.

On a late summer afternoon, standing on the PMP bridge, I silently watched the long line of vehicles slowly crossing. From afar, the bridge looked like a green silk ribbon draped across the Red River. Few could imagine the countless sleepless nights and sweat shed by the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249, Engineering Corps, on each joint and cable to create that peaceful ribbon.

"This bend in the Red River is not simple," Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu, Deputy Commander of Brigade 249, shared in a low voice. "Even a small fluctuation in water flow could force the entire structure to be dismantled. The PMP pontoon bridge was designed for Russian rivers, not this treacherous river," he said, bending down to point to each link and anchor cable hidden beneath the water.

A performance at the art program "Bridge Connecting Shores of Joy".

For nearly a year, figures like 700m of frame beams, 865m of slabs, 581m of access roads, and 500m³ of compacted soil, along with an average of 6,000 people and vehicles passing through daily, may seem dry and unremarkable, but they embody the sweat and hard work of the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249. Since September 2024, regardless of the cold, misty nights or the sweltering summer afternoons, the officers and soldiers of the Brigade have diligently and tirelessly assembled ferries, launched them, stretched ropes, and drove piles. Some shifts lasted through the night amidst the swirling river, solely to detect and remove debris, or to promptly submerge a rapidly falling tree trunk. These seemingly simple tasks could jeopardize the safety of the entire bridge with just a small oversight.

It was only when I went to Phong Chau that I truly understood the saying, "Where the people need us, there are soldiers." When the soldiers arrived, their encampment was just a row of abandoned buildings used to keep livestock. Yet, in just a few days, thanks to the skillful hands of the soldiers and workers, it was transformed into a spacious, clean, and well-maintained forward command post, complete with a cement floor, shutters, a water tower, and even a gleaming shower. The government and people of Phu Tho province even built a 300m² corrugated iron house and ceded the village's cultural center for the soldiers to rest in.

Mr. Bui Quang Bich (83 years old), residing in Zone 5, Tam Nong commune, shared: “Our people love the soldiers very much! From oranges and bundles of vegetables to trucks carrying dozens of sacks of pumpkins, the villagers bring everything to give to the soldiers. Seeing them eating hastily in the rain, taking turns on duty day and night, everyone feels sorry for them.” Perhaps it is thanks to this strong and heartfelt affection that when the unit began constructing the access roads to the ferry terminal, within just 3 days, nearly 10 households were ready to hand over their land to expand the road to the terminal.

One night, while the entire unit was preparing to pour concrete for the new wharf, an ambulance suddenly arrived. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu, the commander directly in charge of the construction that day, immediately ordered a halt to the work and directed all motorcycles to move aside to make way. "At that moment, I only thought that human life was paramount. A delay of a few hours in pouring concrete could be fixed, but a delay in rescuing someone... that couldn't be fixed," said Colonel Tu.

On the ambulance that day was HNH (18 months old), suffering from a high fever that was life-threatening. Thanks to the decisive actions of Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tu, the child received timely emergency treatment. When his child returned home healthy, Mr. Ha Van Chang, the child's father, choked up with emotion: "Thanks to the soldiers, my child received timely emergency treatment."

As long as the song of the army and the people continues to resonate...

The Red River is flowing swiftly this season. For several days now, officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 have just finished building a pontoon bridge, only to receive orders to cut it down again. Right next to the pontoon bridge, the new Phong Chau bridge, constructed by the 12th Army Corps, is nearing completion. In just a few months, the mission of the PMP pontoon bridge will end, but the bridge of solidarity will remain forever.

To express gratitude for the kind assistance of the local Party committees and authorities of Tam Nong and Phung Nguyen communes, Brigade 249, in coordination with the Army Cheo Theater and local authorities, organized an art program with the theme "A Bridge Connecting Shores of Joy". Songs filled with emotion such as "Sending My Love to You at the End of the Red River", "Love Song of the Lo River", "A Bridge Connecting Shores of Joy"... performed by talented artists from Brigade 249 and local authorities, along with artists from the Army Cheo Theater, evoked pride and emotion in every resident.

Under the stage lights, as the lyrics "He connects longing and affection with bridges..." rang out, I observed many people in the hall silently singing along. Each performance, each song, was like a message, a heartfelt sentiment that the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 and the local people shared with each other. At the end of the program, the people affectionately bid farewell to the soldiers as they returned to their headquarters, their eyes and handshakes conveying deep affection.

Comrade Cao Thi Thu Phuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tam Nong commune, emotionally shared: "Throughout the time that the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 were stationed and performing their duties in the locality, we truly felt the spirit of wholeheartedly serving the people of the soldiers. The officers and soldiers not only contributed to ensuring traffic safety but also spread the beautiful image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the hearts of the local people."

I left Phong Chau that night, my heart filled with mixed emotions on the way back! The Phong Chau pontoon bridge will soon be replaced by a sturdy concrete bridge. The engineering soldiers of Brigade 249 will return to their barracks to receive new assignments. But one thing I and many others are certain of is: no matter how much time passes or how much the landscape changes, the pontoon bridge at Phong Chau will forever remain an unbreakable "bridge between the military and the people."

Text and photos: LE THANH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/nhip-cau-quan-dan-o-phong-chau-839157