Thoroughly grasp the task in urgent situations

On the afternoon of November 20, Division 302 (Military Region 7) held a mission briefing in an urgent but decisive atmosphere. The officers and leaders of the Division were all present to listen to the order to mobilize to participate in natural disaster prevention in Lam Dong province.

Officers and soldiers of Division 302 promptly mobilized to be present at night in the flooded area of ​​Lam Dong.

Speaking to the unit, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Chung, Deputy Division Commander, Chief of Staff of Division 302, clearly emphasized the mission requirements in the face of complicated flood situations: "Every officer and soldier must deeply understand that this is not only a military and defense mission, but also an order from the heart of a soldier of Uncle Ho's Army: Stand shoulder to shoulder with the people in the most difficult times. The spirit of "4 on-site", "3 ready" must be promoted to the highest level".

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Chung requested units to urgently review all rescue vehicles, life jackets, life buoys, communication systems, food, medicine, etc., to ensure absolute safety in mobility and while on duty. The safety of the people is number one, but the safety of the troops and equipment must also be ensured.

Those decisive instructions seemed to fuel the entire force's enthusiasm to prepare for departure.

Help people clean up the streets after floods.
Help people repair damaged houses after floods.

On the road in the rainy night

On the evening of November 20, groups of officers and soldiers of Division 302 gathered in full force. It was raining heavily, the cold wind blew on their faces, but the spirit in their eyes was still bright, the eyes of soldiers ready to face hardship.

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Chung was the one who directly commanded the mobile force to carry out the mission. Before departure, he checked each motorboat, each flashlight battery, and each life jacket distributed to the soldiers. Colonel Nguyen Thanh Chung said firmly: "Tonight, the Da Nhim River water level is rising very quickly, especially in Don Duong and Lac Duong communes, Lam Dong province. We cannot delay. Every situation must be handled accurately, ensuring absolute safety."

202 officers and soldiers; 10 cars; many ships, boats, canoes; more than 300 life jackets; over 100 life buoys; hand saws, shovels, knives... all formed a large-scale support force. In the heavy rain, the convoy of vehicles followed one another, headlights illuminating the roads leading to the flood zone.

Clean up the road after the flood.

For Sergeant Dang Ha Thang, Company 10, Battalion 6 (Regiment 88, Division 302), this was the first time he had participated in a large-scale flood prevention mission. Before departure, Thang only had time to call his mother: "I'm going on a mission, don't worry." His mother in the countryside only told him: "Remember to stay safe, son." Thang tightened his life jacket strap, then got in the car, full of determination and courage.

Be at the hot spot at dawn

At around 1am on November 21, the first forces arrived at Don Duong commune, Lam Dong province - where the Da Nhim river was rising rapidly, inundating many households, isolating many households. The whole area was dark, only flashlights and voices calling to each other in the muddy water.

Mrs. Ha Thi Khanh (65 years old), Don Suong commune, her voice was trembling with cold and worry because the water had already flooded into her house. However, when she saw the soldiers appear, she cried out happily: “Thank goodness, the soldiers are here…”.

Sergeant Dang Ha Thang, Company 10, Battalion 6 (Regiment 88, Division 302) and his teammates immediately moved the belongings and helped Mrs. Khanh get to a safe place. Mrs. Khanh emotionally held the young soldier's hand: "Thank you guys... The soldiers are always there at the right time."

At another location in Lac Duong commune, Captain Nguyen Trung Kien, Captain of Company 9, Battalion 6 (Regiment 88, Division 302) and officers and soldiers used hand saws and knives to clear trees, corrugated iron across the road and clear mud, rocks, and garbage at schools and in households as the water gradually receded. Captain Nguyen Trung Kien encouraged his comrades while working: “Slow but sure. No one can do it alone. Keep the formation, coordinate with local forces to clean up as much as possible.”

Ms. Ha Thi Phuong, from Lac Duong commune, had red eyes after holding her child and moving things uphill all night. When the soldiers came to help, she grabbed Captain Nguyen Trung Kien's shirt and said emotionally, "Thank you, the soldiers, for coming to support my family in time. I feel very secure when the soldiers come."

Soldiers of Division 302 clean up school after flood.
Commander of Division 302 gives gifts to households that suffered heavy damage due to floods.

In 2 days, Division 302 assisted in evacuating dozens of households from the danger zone, erecting three tents as temporary shelters, and delivering food and clean water to residential areas. In areas where the floodwaters receded, soldiers helped people move their belongings, rebuild and repair houses, clear mud and soil, check areas at risk of landslides, and give gifts to households that suffered heavy damage.

Second Lieutenant Le Huy Nhan, Platoon Leader of Platoon 4, Company 10, Battalion 6 (Regiment 88), shared: "Although it was hard work, what touched me the most were the handshakes and words of thanks from the people on a cold, rainy night."

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Chung did not sleep a wink all night, constantly following the rescue teams. At the evacuation point, he went to each area, asked about each household, then turned to instruct the officers and soldiers to prepare drinking water and urgently help the people. Only when the people were safe could the soldiers rest.

In extremely dangerous weather conditions, heavy rain, rapidly rising river water, and difficult terrain, officers and soldiers of Division 302 were promptly present and effectively handled the arising situations. Colonel Nguyen Thanh Chung assessed: "The officers and soldiers demonstrated a proactive spirit, high responsibility, and promoted the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers. This is a clear demonstration of the spirit that when the people need it, the soldiers are there."

Faces, muddy uniforms, cold hands in the rain... but eyes always shining with faith, that is the most beautiful image in the days of overcoming floods with the people in Lam Dong.

The rain has not stopped yet, but the timely presence of officers and soldiers has brought peace to hundreds of households in the flooded areas. And with each step through mud and water, each sound of chainsaws clearing fallen trees in the dark night, people understand that: Where there is difficulty, there are soldiers./.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/su-doan-302-quan-khu-7-co-dong-trong-dem-cung-dan-vuot-lu-1013238