Silent sacrifices

During the days of severe flooding, many border guards also had their families and homes submerged and their property swept away by the floodwaters… However, in that critical time, the soldiers still put aside their own worries to support the people, because for them, the peace and safety of the people is always the top priority.

With the floodwaters rising unexpectedly, officers and soldiers at the border guard posts and stations in the province were very worried about their families, especially when relatives reported that their homes were flooded and their property was swept away. But, after only hearing the voices of their loved ones through intermittent phone calls, they rushed off to rescue, supply, and bring people to safety.

The plight of Captain Le Minh Dai, a professional soldier and communications officer in the Staff Department ( Dak Lak Border Guard Command), is one such story. His family rented a space for trading in Hoa Thinh commune. On the morning of November 18th, they had just imported 27 tons of palm seeds from Indonesia, but by afternoon, a sudden flood swept away 17 tons of goods, leaving 10 tons submerged in mud, along with all the machinery and equipment severely damaged. Over 750 million dong, the family's savings of many years, was lost in an instant.

Putting aside his family worries, Captain Le Minh Dai and his teammates focused on supporting the people in the flood-affected areas.

At home, his wife struggled desperately as the floodwaters rose higher and higher. Fortunately, neighbors managed to evacuate them in time. Information about his family only reached Dai through a few intermittent phone calls. He worried but didn't know what to do, leaving his family to fend for themselves with the help of neighbors. From the very first relief effort, he had been present in Hoa Hiep ward, assisting with relocating residents, transporting relief supplies, rebuilding collapsed walls, and delivering packets of instant noodles and cans of water to isolated households. The work was so demanding that he and his comrades didn't have a moment's rest. Only when the residents were somewhat settled could Dai rush home, only to see the devastation before returning to his unit.

The story of the family of Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Van Tu, Head of Staff and Administration (Hoa Hiep Nam Border Guard Station), also saddened his comrades. His family lived with his parents in Hoa Xuan commune. During the recent flood, the water rose so quickly, reaching the roof in an instant, sweeping away almost all their belongings, including rice, livestock, farming tools, and machinery – leaving them with virtually nothing.

Communication with his family was almost completely cut off. The signal was weak, and the phone was intermittent. In the pouring rain, Tú stood in the unit's courtyard, his eyes reddening each time his phone signaled that he couldn't get through. Only when neighbors informed him that his wife, children, and parents had been safely evacuated did he breathe a sigh of relief. But his house – the result of many years of saving – had vanished in the floodwaters.

As soon as the floodwaters receded, the unit commander allowed Tú to return home. He stood silently before his house, now just a frame; mud up to his knees, belongings scattered amidst the thick layer of earth. Tú only had time to help his family with some basic cleanup before returning to his unit. "The villagers still need me, and the neighbors are here to help..." he said before getting into the car, his voice choked with emotion but resolute.

Colonel Nguyen Cong Tuan, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Border Guard Command, offered encouragement and presented gifts to support Comrade Dai's family.

The stories of loss are not just about individuals, but extend across many units, stations, and work teams. More than 30 military families suffered heavy losses, and in many cases, the total number of casualties has yet to be tallied. But what moves their comrades is that, no matter how worried they are, they remain steadfast on the front lines; no one asks to withdraw, no one asks for a temporary leave.

Understanding these hardships, in recent days, in addition to visiting and encouraging the people in the flood-affected areas, the unit's commanders have also taken the time to visit some families of military personnel who suffered losses. In each house still covered in mud, in the eyes still glistening with tears after many days of hardship, the firm handshakes and sincere inquiries for each family have given them strength to overcome this difficult period, so that their husbands, sons, and brothers can continue to carry out their duties with peace of mind.

Immediately after the flood-affected areas gradually stabilized, the Dak Lak Border Guard Command granted leave to soldiers whose families were affected by the disaster, allowing them to return home to support their families. Simultaneously, they deployed forces to assist soldiers and their relatives in cleaning up their homes, collecting remaining belongings, and helping to rebuild temporary shelters. In many neighborhoods, the image of border guards clearing mud from their comrades' homes and then helping their neighbors became a familiar, beautiful, and heartwarming sight during those difficult times.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202511/nhung-hy-sinh-tham-lang-0f71e6c/