Newlyweds go to Africa together to keep peace

Members of the 3rd Engineering Team and the 6th Level 2 Field Hospital depart for their mission - Photo: NAM TRAN

Under the golden autumn sun of September, the uniforms of peacekeeping soldiers covered the airfield of the 371st Division (Air Defense - Air Force), preparing for their journey to Africa for their mission.

This is the largest troop rotation of the year for Vietnam's peacekeeping forces.

In this deployment, 184 officers and personnel from Engineering Team 3 will replace Engineering Team 2 at UNISFA (Abyei area). Meanwhile, Field Hospital Level 2 No. 6 with 63 members will replace Field Hospital Level 2 No. 5 at the UNMISS mission in South Sudan.

Captain Hoang Huu Cong Thanh and his wife, Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Nguyet Ha, are both participating in peacekeeping operations in Africa - Photo: NAM TRAN

"We're traveling as a couple on this trip."

Amidst warm farewell hugs and exchanged gifts, Captain Hoang Huu Cong Thanh and professional Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Nguyet Ha walked hand in hand. Having met and become a couple while working together in the same unit, Ms. Nguyet Ha said that what kept them together was mutual understanding and respect. Going to Africa together for duty was a shared aspiration of both of them.

Peacekeeping soldiers depart for their mission - Photo: NAM TRAN

Captain Cong Thanh shared that in 2022-2023 he served as a military observer in South Sudan as part of a peacekeeping mission. Having completed his mission far from his homeland just over a year ago, Captain Thanh confided in his wife, inviting her to join him on another peacekeeping mission.

During this trip, Mr. Thanh will serve as the military-civilian and communications coordinator, while Ms. Ha will handle the administrative work for the 3rd Engineering Team.

"We were the first couple from the 3rd Engineering Battalion to go on this trip together. I'm very happy that through this trip my wife also gained more knowledge and practical experience in military work."

"My wife and I have been married for almost a year now. This year, we will celebrate our wedding anniversary in Africa (September 30th). This will be the most memorable wedding anniversary, an impressive milestone in our lives," Thành shared.

Working in military affairs at the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, Nguyet Ha witnessed the annual fluctuations in troop numbers, seeing her comrades leave and return one after another, which motivated her to determinedly join the mission.

"I really want to participate to better understand the peacekeeping mission that my colleagues are carrying out. Through the knowledge and practical experience, I hope that when I return to my unit, it will be helpful for my work," Ms. Ha shared.

My son's pillow

For the second time on assignment away from home, Captain Bui Anh Dong, a construction assistant in the 3rd Engineering Battalion, prepared to leave, surrounded by his wife and son.

The special item Mr. Dong brought with him on this mission was a blue pillow given to him by his son. The encouragement of his wife and son is his greatest motivation, providing a strong support system for him to fulfill the nhiệm vụ entrusted to him by the Party and the State.

"My child is too young to understand the true meaning of Dad's business trip, but she probably imagines it's a special mission… Dad will be away from home for a few months and will return to Mom and the child," Dong confided.

Captain Bui Anh Dong prepares for a long work trip away from home, surrounded by his family - Photo: NAM TRAN

The mission is expected to last 12 months. Although he knows it will be difficult, Captain Dong hopes to return to Abyei once again to help the local people, who still face many hardships and shortages.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vo-chong-son-cung-di-gin-giu-hoa-binh-o-chau-phi-20240926120444667.htm