Emotional return day of Vietnamese 'blue beret' soldiers

Senior Lieutenant Nguyen The Nha holds the national flag as he steps off the plane to return to his homeland after 14 months of duty in Africa – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Happy when all the soldiers come back

Before the plane landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC), relatives had already prepared flowers to welcome the doctors and nurses back. At around 9:30 p.m., a C17 transport aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force brought the “blue berets” of Field Hospital 2.5 back to Vietnam after more than a year of peacekeeping duty.

The welcoming ceremony for the soldiers of Field Hospital 2.5 was organized by Military Hospital 175 in coordination with the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department. Also attending were the Defense Attaché of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and relatives and comrades of the soldiers who had just completed their mission and returned home.

Major General Tran Quoc Viet – Director of Military Hospital 175 – congratulated the soldiers on completing their mission – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Tran Quoc Viet - Director of Military Hospital 175, said: "14 months ago, at this place, we saw you off to your missions. Today, I am very happy to welcome 51 comrades back this time, all of them have come and gone. We have 12 more comrades, we hope that in the near future, you will return home healthy and safe like today.

On behalf of all the main units, I would like to thank you, comrades. During the past time, you have made every effort to overcome all difficulties to successfully complete your tasks."

Indescribable joy when returning home

In difficult and harsh conditions along with strict regulations of the United Nations, officers and soldiers of Field Hospital 2.5 have tried to overcome and excellently completed the task of ensuring medical care for the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the locality.

Long-time colleagues reunited with indescribable joy – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

In the joy of meeting his family again, Captain Hoang Trung Hieu shared: "I am used to being a soldier far from home, but this time I am very far from my homeland. I miss my family, my parents, and even more, I miss my homeland where I was born and raised.

What I remember most and what impressed me the most when I was in South Sudan was the people here, their lives are still too miserable and lacking a lot.

Standing among the group of relatives waiting to welcome the soldiers, Ms. Le Thi Minh Nguyet (living in Go Vap district) could not hide her joy: "Today, standing here to welcome my husband back, my first feeling is pride in my husband, feeling happy that he returned safely and healthily after completing his duty to the country as well as the Field Hospital 2.5 assigned to him. In general, happiness is overwhelming."

To prepare replacement forces, more than a week ago in Hanoi , the Department of Peacekeeping organized a farewell ceremony for 2 groups with a total of 247 personnel from the Level 2 Field Hospital No. 6 (BVDC 2.6) and the Engineering Team No. 3 (DCB No. 3) to go to South Sudan and the Abyei region in Africa to perform international missions.

Some pictures at the ceremony to welcome soldiers back home:

Colonel Mac Duc Trong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, thanked the soldiers for arriving safely – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

The soldiers' families arrived at the airport early with flowers and meaningful gifts - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Joy of reunion – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

The 5th Level 2 Field Hospital returned home after more than a year of mission in the South Sudan Mission – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

The ceremony to welcome the returning officers and soldiers took place in a solemn and emotional atmosphere right at Tan Son Nhat airport (HCMC) - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

This is the second time Trinh Ngoc Thao has gone to pick up his wife, Captain Tran Thuan Trang, after completing her mission. He said he misses and loves his wife very much, but their duty to the country is always their top priority. He has always been a strong supporter for her. They have two small children, but he is confident that he can take care of her so that she can work with peace of mind. He is very happy and proud that his wife has returned safe and healthy - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Lieutenant Tran Nhu Ngoc (Head Nurse of the Examination Department, Field Hospital 2.5) took the opportunity to use his phone to contact his relatives while still on the bus going to the immigration area - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

After the welcoming ceremony, the delegation boarded the bus and went to Tan Son Nhat International Terminal to complete immigration procedures - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xuc-dong-ngay-tro-ve-cua-chien-si-mu-noi-xanh-viet-nam-20240929001021311.htm