Deeply rooted in the bond between the military and the people.

(VLO) Throughout its nearly 80-year journey of building, fighting, and maturing, the Vietnam People's Army in general, and the armed forces of Vinh Long province in particular, have always been wholeheartedly supported and loved by the people. The people have always stood side by side with the army in defending the country, building and protecting the Fatherland. The solidarity between the army and the people is a precious tradition and the source of strength for the armed forces to fight and successfully complete all tasks.

Mr. Bui Van Nghiem, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, visited and presented gifts to the new recruits.

The bond between the military and the people.

The close bond between the army and the people contributed to the victory in the struggle to protect the independence, freedom, and unification of the country. President Ho Chi Minh once advised: "Without the people, there would be no army" and "The army and the people are like fish and water."

The bond between the military and the people is forged by incredibly noble values: patriotism, trust, compassion, and sharing in times of difficulty, all for the peaceful, prosperous, and happy lives of the people.

The close bond between the military and the people today is also demonstrated through mass mobilization efforts. By staying close to the people, sharing their difficulties, the armed forces are present at the grassroots level to disseminate legal information and encourage people in the areas where they are stationed to fully exercise their rights and fulfill their civic duties.

The emulation movements "Armed Forces Joining Hands to Build New Rural Areas," "Joining Hands for the Poor - Leaving No One Behind," and "Military-Civilian Tet" are exemplary models that are regularly and effectively maintained, thereby consolidating and promoting the strength of the great national unity.

Among these, the Tet celebration for the military and civilians, held during the Lunar New Year, is a meaningful activity that reflects a connection to the roots and expresses gratitude for the immense contributions of the people to the armed forces.

Propagating and educating , fostering patriotism and the tradition of solidarity between the military and the people in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new situation, and working with localities to effectively implement the Party and State's policies towards the grassroots.

Major Phan Thi Tuyet Hong (Provincial Military Command) expressed her delight at having the opportunity to participate in the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration with the local people. According to her, this is a chance to get closer to and better understand the lives of the people, fostering increasingly close relationships.

In particular, in 2023, for the first time, the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration for the military and civilians was held in conjunction with the Khmer ethnic group's cultural and sports festival, creating a joyful, enthusiastic, and united atmosphere among officers, soldiers, and the local people.

Mr. Lu Quang Ngoi, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, met with and encouraged new recruits at the military enlistment ceremony.

The program places special emphasis on promoting national cultural identity, enriching the cultural and spiritual lives of the people.

Highlights include sports activities, folk games, cultural and artistic activities, book exhibitions, thematic exhibitions such as "Khmer people of Vinh Long preserving and promoting national cultural identity, equality, solidarity, respect, integration and development"; community-based banh tet making activities, and a confectionery competition themed "Military-Civilian Solidarity".

According to the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh, the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations between the military and the people in recent years have contributed to helping today's young generation better understand and appreciate the feelings and close-knit relationship between the military and the people.

This demonstrates the deep concern of Party committees, government agencies, the Fatherland Front, armed forces, departments, mass organizations, and philanthropists for the material and spiritual well-being of the people, creating high consensus throughout society, further strengthening the close-knit relationship between the military and the people, and building a great national unity.

In addition, the Tet Military-Civilian Program includes policies of gratitude and social welfare activities such as: giving gifts to families of policy beneficiaries and poor households, awarding scholarships to poor but studious students, providing free medical examinations and medicine, building houses of compassion, and repairing rural transportation infrastructure.

"Effective mass mobilization" helps fulfill military and national defense tasks.

Following the principle of focusing strongly on the grassroots, with diverse, rich, and flexible content and forms, the agencies and units of the armed forces have done a good job of disseminating information and mobilizing the people to comply well with the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations, creating social consensus and consolidating the great national unity.

The armed forces have always paid attention to and effectively implemented mass mobilization work, policies of gratitude and social welfare.

The armed forces also proactively coordinate and effectively participate in building the grassroots political system, promoting socio-economic development, implementing national programs and goals for sustainable poverty reduction, building new rural areas and civilized urban areas, and ensuring political security and social order.

The armed forces work closely with localities to effectively implement emulation movements and campaigns, and serve as the core in building a strong national defense system and a comprehensive national defense posture, especially an increasingly solid "people's hearts and minds" defense posture.

Performing the functions of a "working army" and a "fighting force" in peacetime, the military has always been the vanguard force, leading the way to the most difficult and dangerous places to help the people prevent and overcome the consequences of natural disasters and epidemics, and to conduct rescue operations.

In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, officers and soldiers, undeterred by sacrifice and hardship, served as the core force, bravely leading the front lines, actively and proactively participating with all levels, sectors, forces, and local Party committees and authorities in preventing and controlling the pandemic, protecting the health and lives of the people.

In military recruitment, Vinh Long province consistently ensures that the quotas and quality of recruits assigned to military units are met. This work involves the entire political system, with various departments and organizations participating in propaganda, education, and mobilization of young people and their families to strictly comply with the Military Service Law.

In addition, it is important to disseminate regulations regarding policies and benefits for citizens performing military service and for soldiers returning to their local areas after discharge.

Colonel Pham Van Khiem, Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, handed over a house built with the support of comrades during the Tet holiday for the military and civilians in Tan My commune (Tra On district).

At the same time, traditional education about the revolutionary homeland should be disseminated to all citizens, union members, and young people of military age so that they clearly understand that military service is a glorious responsibility of every citizen.

Through propaganda efforts, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha (Loan My commune, Tam Binh district) encouraged her son, Thach Minh Tri, to volunteer for military service, "both to continue the family tradition and to provide an opportunity for self-improvement in a new environment."

"The military is a great school for young people, a dream and a goal for many. Studying and training in the military environment has always been an honor and a source of pride."

"In the military, I believe my son and his friends will hone their character and abilities, thereby developing the right awareness and actions regarding the task of building and protecting the Fatherland," Ms. Ha shared.

Upholding the revolutionary traditions of their homeland, the new recruits from Vinh Long province are always actively cultivating, training, and studying, strictly adhering to military discipline and unit regulations, and successfully completing all assigned tasks. At the end of the training course, many new recruits achieved good or excellent results.

Military doctors provide free medical examinations and medication to families eligible for government assistance and those facing hardship.

Everyone was mentally at ease, demonstrating good discipline, with no cases of unauthorized absence or desertion.

At the end of the three months of training, along with the oath-taking ceremony for new recruits at the unit, the local military service council organizes a meeting to commend the families of soldiers who have achieved good training results.

Mr. Lu Quang Ngoi, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Military Service Council, assessed this as a practical approach in implementing the "Effective People's Mobilization" model, which has been continuously maintained over the years. He hoped that each family would always be a strong support system, a source of moral support and great encouragement for their children to have more strength and courage to overcome obstacles and successfully complete their assigned tasks.

At the same time, it was stated that the military service councils at all levels will continue to direct the organization of commendations and awards for outstanding collectives and individuals who have achieved excellent results in the work of military rear-area policies; and resolutely handle cases of young people who intentionally violate the Military Service Law in order to maintain good achievements in military recruitment.

Text and photos: NGUYEN THINH

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