Living milestones on the fence

Although they do not wear military ranks, they still persistently contribute to guarding the fence, using their prestige and responsibility to unite the community, resolve conflicts, spread solidarity and build a solid position in the hearts of the people.

Keep the fence, cultivate trust

At the age of 75, the hands of village elder Siu Phyin (Goong village, Ia Puch commune) are still nimble at the brocade weaving loom. Few people know that she is the first female village elder of the Jrai community on the border of the province, and has been trusted and respected by the people since 2016. Originally a guerrilla, having worked for many years in the commune's Women's Union, she is both decisive and strong, and also flexible and agile. She believes that "empty words do not reach the people's ears", so she always takes the lead in doing things first so that the people believe and follow.

At the age of 75, the hands of old man Siu Phyin (Goong village, Ia Puch commune) are still nimble at the loom. **Photo: PD**

From improving the sloping hills to grow cashews, teaching people to weave brocade, making rice wine, to patrolling the border with the soldiers, Ms. Siu Phyin has become a spiritual support for the whole community. She sincerely shared: “Guarding the border is a shared responsibility. The soldiers consider the station as their home, the border as their homeland, the people as their brothers and sisters, so we always consider the soldiers as our relatives.”

Also on the border, Mr. Ksor Bong (73 years old, a prestigious person in Bi village, Ia O commune) is known as a devoted "border marker keeper". Having worked as the head of the border self-management team, marker 25 (3), he considers working side by side with the army a way of life. Regardless of day or night, he and the army often go through the forest to patrol and control the border, especially persistently persuading 23 households with fields adjacent to the border to sign a commitment not to assist in smuggling, not to harbor strangers, and to promptly provide information to the authorities. He always believes that only when he sets an example will people trust and follow. At the same time, he always reminds people that the border and markers are the sacred flesh and blood of the Fatherland, and living on the border must uphold the responsibility of protecting them.

Mr. Ksor Bong joined officers of Ia O Border Guard Station to patrol and protect landmark 25 (3). **Photo: DVCC**

Mr. Siu Deo (66 years old, a prestigious person in Mook Den 2 village, Ia Dom commune) is considered a skillful "mediator". Understanding customs, he knows how to reconcile customary law with the law, many cases are resolved reasonably, not allowing hot spots to arise. He persistently encourages people to abandon bad customs, build a civilized lifestyle, develop the economy together, and take care of their children's education. For him, solidarity is the foundation for a prosperous and progressive village.

“People must be united for the village to develop. Therefore, whenever there is a problem in the village, I meet and discuss with all parties to clarify the matter and maintain solidarity,” Mr. Deo shared.

The fulcrum of the green uniform soldier

In 2024, all three village elders and prestigious people Siu Phyin, Ksor Bong, and Siu Deo were honored at the program "The Village's Support" jointly organized by the Communist Magazine, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Border Guard Command. This is a worthy recognition for their persistent and silent contributions.

Mr. Siu Deo talks with soldiers of the Le Thanh International Border Gate Border Guard Station. **Photo: PD**

The common points of village elders and prestigious people in border areas are patience, dedication and prestige. They work with the villagers to build village rules and regulations that are suitable for reality, resolve many issues right at the grassroots level, and strengthen people's trust in the Party Committee and government.

For the “green uniform” soldiers, village elders and prestigious people are not only a solid spiritual support but also a “special companion”. Together with the army, they “go to every alley, knock on every door”, propagandize and mobilize people to comply with the Party’s guidelines and policies, the State’s policies and laws, contributing to making the work of mass mobilization and protecting border sovereignty more effective.

Major Huynh Ngoc Phu, Political Commissar of Ia O Border Post and Major Ro O Thuy, Deputy Political Commissar of Ia Puch Border Post, both assessed: The voice of village elders and prestigious people has special weight, and is trusted by the people more than any administrative document. Therefore, the unit always focuses on promoting their role in propaganda work, both to unite the community and to create a solid foundation for the task of protecting the border.

Thanks to the support of village elders and prestigious people, the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws reach the people in a close and easy-to-understand way. They are the "bridge" connecting the army and the people, contributing to consolidating the strong position of people's hearts at the border.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nhung-cot-moc-song-noi-phen-giau-post565576.html