The deep bond between soldiers and civilians in the border region of Pù Ngùa

In the heart of the Pù Ngùa mountain range, in Pù Nhi commune, the bond between the military and the people is not only evident in major policies and programs, but also woven from everyday, simple stories that deeply move people's hearts.

The Pù Nhi Border Guard Station, in coordination with the 5th Economic -Defense Brigade, provided free medical examinations and medication to the people of Pù Ngùa village.

In his simple stilt house at the end of Pù Ngùa village, Mr. Thao Van Chu could not hide his emotion when the military medical officers and soldiers of the 5th Economic-Defense Brigade came to visit him. After having his blood pressure measured, an ultrasound performed, and receiving instructions on medication, Mr. Thao Van Chu shared: "For many days I have suffered from back pain and chest tightness, but because of the long distance, I couldn't go to the hospital. Now that the soldiers have come to my house to examine me and provide medicine, I am very happy. Not only my family but also the people in the village have a lot of affection and gratitude towards the officers and soldiers of the 5th Economic-Defense Brigade for their dedication to the health of the people."

A highlight of the 5th Economic-Defense Brigade's community assistance activities is the provision of portable ultrasound machines, electrocardiogram machines, and essential medicines. The unit's medical officers and doctors often travel long distances to remote villages, reaching individual households to provide assistance. For the elderly and infirm who cannot travel to centralized examination points, the military medical force proactively implements mobile examination services, directly examining, advising on health, and dispensing free medicine at home.

Besides providing medical care, the officers of the 5th Economic-Defense Brigade also patiently guided and mentored the villagers to change their production practices. Many families were accustomed to slash-and-burn agriculture, leading to precarious lives. The economic brigade officers repeatedly visited and encouraged them to switch to rice cultivation and stable livestock farming. In the beginning, they directly worked in the fields, showing them how to prepare the land and sow the seedlings. The first harvest wasn't as successful as expected, but they persevered. By the second harvest, the rice fields were lush and yielded higher productivity. The reclaimed fields, the fruit orchards that began to take root, and the thriving livestock herds were clear evidence of the economic brigade's commitment. Beyond technical support, they ate, lived, and worked alongside the people, sharing their daily struggles. This close relationship fostered trust, leading to the acceptance and adoption of economic development policies and models by the villagers.

Then, when floods came, the soldiers in the economic unit stood side-by-side, helping the people relocate, rebuild houses, and restore production. Their hands, calloused from labor, and their uniforms stained with mud became a familiar image, marking a strong bond of camaraderie.

Lieutenant Colonel La Minh Thanh, Head of the Political Department, Economic-Defense Brigade 5, stated: "Despite many challenging conditions, the unit always stands side-by-side with the people to develop livelihoods, maintain national defense and security, and strengthen the grassroots political system. Supporting the people is not only a responsibility but also an expression of affection and a moral obligation of the soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh Army towards the people in the highlands."

In the remote and underprivileged Pù Ngùa border region, the image of the officers and soldiers of the 5th Economic-Defense Brigade, wearing their green uniforms, has become a solid support for the local people. Not only do they safeguard every inch of the sacred land of the Fatherland, but they also silently contribute to building a prosperous life for the people here. Along the winding border roads, officers and soldiers of the Pù Nhi Border Guard Post patrol day and night, controlling and protecting territorial sovereignty . But their nhiệm vụ doesn't stop at guarding the border; in Pù Ngùa, each officer and soldier is also a dedicated "community outreach officer." They go down to each village, knocking on every door to disseminate legal information, urging people not to cross the border illegally or listen to bad influences. The presence of border guards is felt at community gatherings and highland markets, in a friendly and humble manner.

The story of the literacy class is still fondly remembered by the villagers. The class was held right in the village's cultural center, with the "teacher" being a border guard officer. During the day, the soldier in his green uniform and his comrades performed their duties, and in the evenings, he diligently prepared lessons and taught the villagers each letter. Some of the elderly, over 60 years old, with trembling hands, never missed a single class. On the first day, when they could read a complete sentence in standard Vietnamese, the whole class applauded and cheered, while the "teacher" quietly smiled.

The bond between the military and the people in Pù Ngùa is not just words, but is forged through concrete, practical actions every day. Amidst the vast forests of Pù Ngùa, a remote border region, the story of the Border Guard and officers and soldiers of the 5th Economic-Defense Brigade helping the people continues to be written day by day. It is a story of responsibility, of compassion, and above all, of the strong bond between the military and the people – a solid foundation for protecting and building the nation, even in the most remote areas.

Text and photos: Hoang Lan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tham-tinh-quan-dan-noi-bien-cuong-pu-ngua-286107.htm