Those who ignite the flame of patriotic emulation

Deep inside the cave, 220 meters down, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh was "terrified," but thinking of the victim who had been lying cold for the past three years, he quickly dug and collected each bone fragment to bring up.

The story of searching for the victim deep in the cave was shared by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Team (Ho Chi Minh City Police), in a report broadcast at the National Conference on Honoring Outstanding Exemplars in Hanoi on the morning of June 11th. He recounted that the victim died in December 2019, but their remains were still located 220 meters deep in a cave in Cao Bang. When the rescue team approached, they needed experienced and courageous people to descend because some sections of the cave were only 50 cm wide.

Lieutenant Colonel Thanh volunteered with the thought, "If I don't go down, the victim will remain there forever, cold and lifeless, and the pain of their loved ones will never lessen." After more than two hours of searching, he finally reached the location, feeling "extreme loneliness and fear." Because the remains were buried more than a meter deep under the earth and rocks, he had to use his hands to dig and gather the bones. Seeing the tears of the victims' families when they received the remains, he understood that his hardships had not been in vain.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh shared details about the rescue operation in Cao Bang.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh shares his experience with the 2019 rescue operation. Video : VTV

After 22 years of rescue and relief work, Lieutenant Colonel Thanh said that the driving force behind his plunge into danger is the cries for help from victims or the tears of their loved ones. "Saving what's left amidst the loss, or at least finding a part of the victim, brings peace of mind. Everyone fears death, but because of duty and the people's need, I'm always ready," he said in the documentary. It's not uncommon for rescuers to fall from the third floor to the ground, covered in wounds, skin infections, and chronic pneumonia requiring 3-6 months of treatment.

With his extensive experience and strong character, in February 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Thanh was selected by the Ministry of Public Security to join the Vietnamese police's search and rescue team to search for victims of the earthquake disaster in Türkiye.

At the conference, the love and silent sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Huong (DK1/20 platform, Command of Region 2 of the Navy) and his wife Ngo Thi Hien moved nearly 1,200 delegates to silence during a documentary segment. Having dedicated nearly 30 years to the sea and islands, Lieutenant Colonel Huong, like many of his naval comrades serving on remote islands and the DK1 platform, is often absent from important family events. When parents or children fall ill, his wife has to shoulder all the burdens.

Lieutenant Colonel Huong said that he suffered less, but his wife and children suffered more. But everyone has their own hardships, and he could only encourage his family through words, letters, and phone calls; it was difficult to directly help them. "But no matter how difficult it is, a soldier will be determined to complete the mission, guarding the DK1 platform to protect the Fatherland," he shared.

Nearly 30 years of love and marriage, Ngo Thi Hien often expresses her longing for her husband through letters sent aboard ships at sea, and now through phone calls that are sometimes choppy due to poor signal. She understands his work, likening their marital relationship to the story between a boat and the sea. Sometimes she still teases her husband, saying, "Our home is just a guesthouse; the open sea is your real home."

Outstanding individuals and groups representing various fields attended the conference on the morning of June 11th. Photo: VGP

Among the 700 delegates representing outstanding individuals and groups attending the conference were many familiar faces, such as coach Mai Duc Chung. Without talking much about himself, Coach Chung shared about the team and how the coaching staff always encourages a competitive spirit among the female players. During each training session, the girls are divided into groups or spar one-on-one, and the first and second place winners receive rewards. Sometimes the reward is just a bottle of soda, but it always motivates the players.

Mr. Chung said the biggest challenge for the women's team in the upcoming World Cup in July-August is the presence of strong teams like the USA, Switzerland, and Portugal. The Vietnamese girls, with their inferior physical strength and height, may be at a disadvantage, but this is also an opportunity for the Vietnamese national anthem to be sung at the biggest football tournament on the planet. "The journey at the World Cup is not easy, and the results may not be as expected, but the whole team will try their best to leave their mark in every match," he said.

Appearing on stage, Nguyen Thi Oanh, the golden girl of Vietnamese athletics, said that the spirit of patriotism and love for her fellow countrymen is the source of motivation that encourages her every day in competition. Elder K'Tieu (Lam Dong), a model of progress in mobilizing people to donate land for road construction, stirred up the hall with the rhythmic sound of gongs and drums.

Hero of the Armed Forces Le Thanh Dao, a fighter pilot who once flew a Mig-21, as well as Hero Ngo Thi Tuyen, the former female militia member who astonished the world by carrying two ammunition boxes weighing nearly 100 kilograms, expressed their belief that the younger generation will continue the patriotic spirit of their ancestors. Ms. Tuyen said that patriotism and the spirit of emulation are inherent in the blood of Vietnamese people from young to old. She believes that the younger generation, with adequate education and a willingness to embrace new things, can shoulder the responsibility of leading the country forward and will do better than their predecessors.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents certificates of merit to athlete Nguyen Thi Oanh and other outstanding role models on the morning of June 11. Photo: VGP .

Commending exemplary individuals, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated President Ho Chi Minh's call for patriotic emulation 75 years ago as a rallying cry for the nation, becoming a driving force leading the nation from one victory to another. From the resistance war to peacetime, emulation movements, in addition to uniting the whole country, have created immense material and spiritual strength to promote socio-economic development, strengthen national defense and security, and protect the Fatherland.

The Prime Minister believes that many individuals, even those not named today, are still quietly dedicating themselves day and night, as the song says, "Everyone chooses the easy work, who will take on the hardship?" and deserve to be honored. He tasked all levels and sectors with promoting the entrepreneurship and innovation movement; emulation should be focused and targeted, avoiding ostentation, formality, and exploitation for personal gain or group interests...

The Prime Minister also urged the exemplary individuals not to become complacent but to maintain their enthusiasm and contribute more to the community and the country. "This responsibility rests on your shoulders. Achieving recognition is difficult, but maintaining that title and the affection of others is even more challenging. I hope each exemplary individual will be like a flower, spreading fragrance and inspiring others with their good deeds," he said.

Hong Chieu

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