Soldier's vegetable garden

In the disciplined and solemn atmosphere of a military barracks, the lush green vegetable gardens are a gentle touch, bringing a sense of closeness, everyday life, and warmth.

A soldier's vegetable garden. Photo: TRAN HUYNH

"Wherever there are soldiers stationed, there are green vegetable gardens," this saying echoes in my mind when I think about military barracks. Every time I visit military units, I always make time to tour the soldiers' vegetable gardens. A soldier's garden is not just about rows of lush green cabbage, rows of heavily laden tomatoes, or trellises of vibrant yellow gourds; it also holds silent stories of their connection to the land and their unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

The barren, rocky lands, thanks to the hands and sweat of the soldiers, have blossomed into fertile gardens. I couldn't help but be moved to see rows of mustard greens, trellises of long beans laden with fruit, or eggplant plants swaying in the afternoon sun. A young soldier smiled brightly and said, "Every day outside of training, we take care of the vegetable garden as if it were a corner of our own family. Spending the afternoons tending to the garden is also a time for our souls to feel lighter and more relaxed."

More than just a source of food, the vegetable garden is also a place where soldiers bond and share stories of joy and sorrow. They tell each other about their families, friends, and dreams after their discharge from the army. Their hands, stained with grime, nimbly water the plants, remove pests, and cultivate the soil, reflecting an indescribable joy. It's the joy of young people who know how to work, how to cultivate not only green vegetables but also valuable lessons for the future.

The green of the vegetable garden symbolizes vitality and faith in the future. Whether under scorching sun or pouring rain, the soldiers persevere in their gardens. These vegetable beds not only supplement their meals but also cultivate a spirit of self-reliance and resilience. Therefore, today's soldiers' vegetable gardens are not just work areas but also symbols of a love for life and the spirit of a soldier. Standing amidst this space, watching the green shoots sway gently in the breeze, I silently think: Wherever there are soldiers, there is sure to be a vibrant life being cultivated, like these lush green vegetable gardens rising from hardship.

The soldiers' vegetable garden is not just a part of their daily work story, but also a place that holds unforgettable memories from their days of service in the military. Each row of vegetables, each cabbage plant, each gourd trellis, is not only lush green from careful care but also imbued with camaraderie, love of work, and even dreams.

Who would have thought that, amidst the strenuous training days, a quiet afternoon tending the garden could bring such tranquility? The drops of sweat falling to the ground are not meaningless. They water the soil, make the vegetables greener, and enrich the soul of the young soldier.

As the sun set, the vegetable garden appeared like a vibrant, radiant, and peaceful painting. The soldiers strolled among the rows of vegetables, their eyes filled with serenity. One soldier smiled and said, "Sometimes, we grow vegetables not just to eat, but also to strengthen our willpower. Seeing the plants grow each day is like seeing ourselves grow stronger."

Even in remote border areas, amidst arid lands or desolate mountain regions, the soldiers' vegetable gardens remain a symbol of resilience and faith in life. Those green hues serve as a reminder that, no matter how difficult or arduous life may be, as long as people love to work and share, barren land can become lush and green, and all difficulties can be overcome.

Those vegetable gardens were not only fertile land for cultivating crops, but also a place that fostered the spirit of solidarity and sharing among the soldiers. There, I saw the image of young men leaving their hometowns, setting aside their personal dreams to fulfill their sacred duty to the Fatherland. And during that time, the vegetable gardens were the thread connecting them to their homeland, to memories of their mothers, fathers, and childhood days in the countryside. I remember a newly enlisted soldier, carefully trimming the gourd vines, saying: “When I was little, I often helped my mother in the garden. Every time I tend the vegetables here, I feel like I’m at home, fertilizing and watering with my mother. At times like that, my homesickness lessens a little.”

As I left, I glanced back at their vegetable garden. I believe that wherever there are soldiers, there will be green vegetable gardens. The young shoots sprout vigorously, just like their resilient, simple yet deeply humane spirit.

TRAN HUYNH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/vuon-rau-cua-linh-a479073.html