In the heroic atmosphere of the country towards the 80th anniversary of National Day September 2, female soldiers in the Peacekeeping Bloc have been training tirelessly to prepare for the parade and march in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (mission A80).

For them, participating in the A80 mission is an honor to train their bravery and will; it is a continuation of tradition, a pride to contribute to creating the proud image of soldiers on National Day September 2. However, behind the majestic image and steady steps are touching stories about love for the Fatherland, comradeship and the silent sacrifice of mothers and wives.

Each decisive step on the Mieu Mon training ground and the first combined training at Ba Dinh Square were the results of nearly 4 months of hard training with countless drops of sweat from the female soldiers. Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

First Time Participant - Twice Honored to Be Selected

Professional soldier Lieutenant Dao Thi Lan Huong from the Hanoi Capital Command, who participated in the gun holding position at mission A80, shared: "This is the first time I have had the honor to participate. This experience brings me pride but also challenges. To be selected for the team, I and the soldiers had to go through a careful selection process regarding military appearance, physical fitness and discipline. When I heard my name was chosen, I felt nervous and happy. When I decided to register to participate in the parade, not only my colleagues but also my family were very surprised, mixed with worry, afraid that the training intensity was harsh, I might not be healthy enough to keep up with my teammates, but it was also from those worries that became the motivation for me to try harder."

Professional Army Lieutenant Dao Thi Lan Huong is cheerful during a break between rehearsals. Photo: KIM CUONG

"To participate well in the mission, I prepared myself mentally, trained my physical strength and was steadfast in my choice. The first days of training were really difficult, the weather was hot and humid, each movement had to be repeated thousands of times. There were times when I thought I couldn't stand it, but my heart always told me: "If others can do it, I can absolutely do it."

When I gradually got into the rhythm, kept the ranks steady, and was recognized as an official member, my family and colleagues changed from being worried to being proud of me. I also dreamed of wearing the uniform of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and volunteered to go to South Sudan to carry out the mission. Although that dream has not come true, another honor has come, today, I have worn the peacekeeping uniform to enter the A80 parade formation. I consider this a premise, a motivation for me to continue to contribute to the people, to the Fatherland", Professional Soldier Lieutenant Dao Thi Lan Huong confided.

Professional Army Lieutenant Dao Thi Lan Huong said that in the formation, she took on the position of holding the gun, a task that required high concentration: "Thousands of steps under the hot sun, sometimes made my hands numb, my legs tremble, but I always told myself that it was a responsibility and pride."

From left to right: Lan Huong, Phuong Thanh, Bui Phuong - 3 "steel roses" of the Peacekeeping force participating in the parade at A80. Photo: HUU THU

Professional Soldier Captain Co Phuong Thanh, who holds the Peacekeeping Unit's flag, excitedly said: "This is the second time I have participated in a parade. Although I am familiar with the intensity of training, the style, and the requirements of the formation, I still have to face great challenges. The later the parade, the higher the technical requirements, requiring uniformity and absolute precision in every movement."

Taking on the task of holding the flag in the flag team, so the pressure and technical requirements are very high, Captain of the Professional Army Co Phuong Thanh said: "The hardest part is having to keep your hands steady, your shoulders straight, and your steps even, while the flag is heavy, especially when there is a strong wind, you have to keep the flag from shifting or shaking. Each step must be completely in sync with the rhythm of the formation behind. In addition, keeping the army absolutely in place for a long time, even though your back is soaked with sweat, your hands are sore, and your legs are swollen, also requires a great deal of will and discipline."

Sharing about the difficulties she encountered, Captain Co Phuong Thanh, a professional soldier, said: "I also had some concerns before writing an application to volunteer for this mission. My two children are still young (the second child is just over 17 months old). My husband also works in the armed forces and is often away from home. But thanks to my husband's encouragement and the support from both families, I feel more secure. Even though there are times when I miss my children to the point of tears, I still tell them every time I call home: "Mom is on duty, let's try our best together, when you grow up, you will be proud of me!"

Professional Military Captain Co Phuong Thanh happily shared with us memorable memories from his first and current parade participation: "During the rehearsal night at Ba Dinh Square on the occasion of A70, it rained heavily but the whole group still kept their formation. People stood on both sides of the street to cheer, making me feel very honored and proud. During this second time, my legs hurt for nearly a month due to continuous parades, my arms were numb, my shoulders were sore, but I did not allow myself to fall. Because I know that the Military Flag in my hand is a source of pride, a source of national pride".

In addition to making new friends who are comrades in the parade force at A80, Thanh also had a close friend and colleague, Lieutenant Dao Thi Lan Huong, who joined her, making the training journey of the two sisters much less arduous. Captain Co Phuong Thanh said: "We often remind and encourage each other to try. After each practice session, I feel more clearly than ever the camaraderie and comradeship when I see myself as part of a close-knit, united and disciplined group."

Sharing about her two participations in the parade, Captain Bui Thi Phuong, a professional soldier working at the Hanoi Capital Command, was moved: "Ten years ago, when I participated in the A70 parade in the Women's Self-Defense Force, I was still a young, enthusiastic and bewildered female militia, only knowing how to put all my effort into keeping up with the team, each step in line under the blazing sun on the Mieu Mon training ground. After 10 years, I was honored to participate in the A80 formation, as a female soldier in the Peacekeeping Force. Returning to the familiar training ground, old memories came flooding back, but the emotions were different this time. I understood more clearly the meaning of each step, each line, each movement, and was even more proud to be a part of the A80, fulfilling the responsibility of a soldier towards the Fatherland."

"Seeing young people participating for the first time but always trying hard every day, I see myself 10 years ago. In my military career, participating in the parade is another great honor," said Captain Bui Thi Phuong, a professional soldier.

Like many female soldiers selected for the A80 mission, Professional Soldier Captain Bui Thi Phuong said that she always felt very proud. If in A70, she wore the militia uniform with pride to contribute to the overall formation, then in A80, her feelings were different. Wearing the Peacekeeping uniform, she felt more clearly the sacred meaning and responsibility entrusted to her. This was also an opportunity for her and her teammates to show the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers to the Fatherland, the people and international friends.

Female soldiers in training at Mieu Mon. Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

The "steel roses" bloom

Through the hard training, the female soldiers in the Peacekeeping Unit have matured a lot. They have learned patience, practiced discipline and the courage to not falter under pressure.

Captain Bui Thi Phuong and Captain Co Phuong Thanh, both of whom are professional soldiers, said they learned many valuable lessons. These lessons include determination, fearlessness, endurance, perseverance, and the highest sense of responsibility. These things have helped them become more mature, both in their military work and in their roles as mothers and women in life.

Professional Military Lieutenant Dao Thi Lan Huong considers herself to have become more mature and steady: "During training, when I am most tired, when my legs are shaking from standing for too long, or when I am drenched in sweat under the midday sun, I no longer complain, but at times like that I think about the Fatherland and encourage myself, "I am carrying out a noble mission, national pride on a great holiday". I have learned to be patient, to train myself to be brave enough to complete my military duties well, to help my family and colleagues trust me more".

Female soldiers in the Peacekeeping Unit during the first training session at Ba Dinh Square on August 21. Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Captain Bui Thi Phuong sees herself as having changed a lot after 10 years, from a young militia girl to a mature female soldier, a mother ready to take on the task: "Ten years ago, I joined A70 in the Women's Self-Defense Force as a militia soldier with a youthful enthusiasm and many surprises. Ten years later, in A80, after the first experience that trained me in discipline and perseverance, I returned with a better version of myself as a female soldier in the Peacekeeping Force."

"There were times when I was so tired from training that I missed my child so much, but thanks to the love of family and love of country combined together, it created a support that helped me gain more strength to continue. I want my child to be proud that when he grows up, his mother has overcome all difficulties to participate in the great festival of the country," said Captain Bui Thi Phuong.

Professional Military Lieutenant Dao Thi Lan Huong, Professional Military Captain Co Phuong Thanh and Captain Bui Thi Phuong are three of many female soldiers - "steel roses" honored to participate in mission A80, a great milestone of the nation.

All three share the same pride and confidence in demonstrating their endurance, steadfastness, resilience and love for their country. They carry with them the pride and sacred love for their Fatherland and the honor of walking in the warm arms of the people - They are the blooming "steel roses".

Article and photos: NGUYEN KHANH

* Readers are invited to visit the 80th Anniversary of August Revolution and National Day September 2 to see related news and articles.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/80-nam-cach-mang-thang-tam-va-quoc-khanh-2-9/nhung-bong-hong-thep-viet-tiep-ban-hung-ca-842808