A meaningful playground for young "warriors"

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The "Military Semester" program is not only a beneficial playground but also creates a traditional educational environment and healthy, engaging, and effective life skills. Based on this significance, the Provincial Youth Union annually presides over and coordinates with several units and localities to organize the "Military Semester" program, consistently receiving attention, support, and high praise from parents; and generating positive public opinion due to the program's practicality, effectiveness, and quality.

These young "soldiers" participated in the "Military Semester" program organized jointly by the Provincial Youth Union.

“Let’s sing together, we are soldiers. Let’s sing together, we love life…”, these were the vibrant, spirited lyrics we heard as soon as we arrived at the send-off ceremony for the first phase of the “Military Training Semester” in 2025, organized by the Provincial Youth Union. At the ceremony, under the sweltering June sun, the children, dressed in green military uniforms with bucket hats and backpacks, looked like little soldiers as they boarded buses to the 341st Division, Military Region 4 – where 325 “young soldiers” would participate in training and education.

At the training ground, the "little soldiers" enthusiastically and seriously participate in the program's activities. Every movement, formation, and training posture is performed decisively, powerfully, and accurately by the children. Their faces, though tanned, now show added strength and health. Among the training group, we were particularly impressed by one "little soldier" who was the roundest in the squad but trained with great enthusiasm, showing no signs of fatigue or weariness. That "little soldier" is Duong Nguyen Khoi, 8 years old, from Thanh Hoa City. Today is Khoi's second day participating in the "Military Training Semester" program.

Sharing about his first days of experience, Khoi said: "During the program, I was always cared for, looked after, and guided by the older students. I even enjoyed being taught by the soldiers how to neatly fold blankets on the bed – something I wasn't very good at at home. Although we were all strangers, when living and studying together, we were all very united, self-motivated to remind and help each other with every task."

Just like Khoi, all the trainees participating in the course had to study, train, and strictly adhere to the military's schedule. This included self-care tasks such as bathing, washing clothes, folding blankets and sheets, and cleaning their rooms. Simultaneously, they also participated in experiences and learned valuable lessons about discipline, self-awareness, independence, honesty, courage, creativity, sharing, and a strong will to succeed in life through morning exercises, physical games, agricultural production, forums for building awareness and character, cultural and artistic exchanges, sports activities, field trips, visits to historical sites, journaling, and volunteer work for the community.

Being trained in the military environment, experiencing firsthand a small part of the hardships and difficulties faced by soldiers, has helped these "young soldiers" gain a deeper understanding of the lessons about the traditions of the Ho Chi Minh Army and the nation. At the same time, it teaches them about discipline, self-improvement, respect for and voluntary compliance with the law, and how to act to build a healthy and civilized lifestyle. Through this, each child understands that patriotism is not about grand or extraordinary things, but rather begins with the actions of each citizen in their daily lives.

However, perhaps the most profound lesson was the importance of family love, empathy, and sharing among people. When asked about their feelings participating in this special program, most of the children honestly shared their homesickness and longing for their families during the first few days. Nevertheless, thanks to the training environment, the engaging learning content, and the love and care of the older students and soldiers, the children became more confident, steadfast, and adapted more quickly.

After witnessing the young "soldiers" studying, playing, and training with all their might, we better understood the trust and simple wishes of parents who want to send their children to such a military training program. Perhaps just seeing the children line up neatly, checking in under the midday sun before heading to the mess hall, is enough to see the discipline, self-reliance, and independence being formed after each day of learning and training. Or the actions of the older children, showing consideration, reminding, caring for, and looking after the younger ones during mealtimes and naps, is enough to see the growing spirit of unity, camaraderie, and love.

"It can be affirmed that the 'Military Semester' program is not only a beneficial playground but also creates a traditional educational environment and healthy life skills. With that in mind, the Provincial Youth Union annually presides over and coordinates with several units and localities to organize the 'Military Semester' program, always receiving attention, support, and high praise from parents; at the same time, it creates positive public opinion thanks to the practicality, effectiveness, and quality of the program. This is also the basis for us to continue maintaining, developing, and innovating so that the 'Military Semester' truly becomes a beneficial and healthy playground for children," emphasized Provincial Youth Union Secretary Le Van Chau.

Text and photos: Luu Kiet

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/san-choi-y-nghia-cho-cac-chien-si-nhi-253437.htm