Rapid stabilization and high determination
Despite arriving in the South three days ago, members of formations of the Female Signal Officers and Female Military Medical Officers remain deeply moved recalling their arrival at Bien Hoa Station (Dong Nai province), warmly welcomed by their Southern comrades and residents. Bright smiles, firm handshakes, and heartfelt embraces full of solidarity and encouragement helped them shake off fatigue from the long journey. Both units are now staying at the barracks of Engineering Brigade 25, Military Region 7.
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Party and national flag formation in training at Division 309, Military Region 7 on April 6 |
Having previously participated in parade duties for the 40th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification Day in 2015, Senior Captain Tran Thi Thu Huong (the Female Signal Officers’ formation) emotionally shared that this is her second time returning to the South for such an important national event. The warm welcome from Southern compatriots felt like a heartfelt reunion, fueling her pride. Her teammates and she quickly settled in, preparing thoroughly, particularly in adapting to the weather for the crucial upcoming period.
Non-commissioned Captain Luong Thi Yen from the Female Signal Officers’ formation added that their task requires all members to carry specialized equipment, demanding resilience and endurance. Upon arrival at Engineering Brigade 25’s base, they immediately focused on maintaining health and enhancing physical strength, rapidly adjusting to the new environment, determined to accomplish their duty.
For non-commissioned Lieutenant Hoang Thi Lieu from the Female Military Medical Officers’ formation, her greatest pride is participating in parade missions from the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - 2024) to now, the 50th anniversary of South Liberation and National Reunification Day. She held that on her first trip to the South for this special task, she felt extremely excited. Thanks to attentive support from leaders and the host units, the entire formation’s members are strongly determined to successfully fulfill their mission.
To welcome and accommodate parade forces, units under Military Region 7, Army Corps 34, and Air Defense - Air Force Service have carefully completed all necessary preparations. They actively coordinated with parade formations in advance, updated training schedules, especially changes in logistics support and meals for troops. Logistics personnel also traveled southward with the formations to facilitate continuous care and monitoring of soldiers’ health.
Units assigned to welcome and serve the parade forces also thoroughly prepared political activities, dissemination, and vibrant decorations with banners and flowers. Unit leaders personally greeted and encouraged the troops upon arrival. Mass organizations also organized supporting activities, boosting morale for the soldiers to confidently undertake their tasks.
Upon settling into accommodation, some units pro-actively held brief extra-curricular practice sessions to help the parade forces soon adapt the new environment after their long journey, including the Female Military Medical Officers’ formation at Engineering Brigade 25, and flag-bearing units at Division 309 (Military Region 7). From April 8, all participating units entered the third training phase, which includes combined rehearsals, preliminary reviews, and general rehearsals at their bases, Bien Hoa airport, and Le Duan Street (Ho Chi Minh City), key rehearsals preparing for the ceremony.
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Thang, Commanding Officer of Company 1 for the Air Defense - Air Force Officers’ formation, noted that the entire unit is accommodated at Factory A42 of the Air Defense - Air Force Service. With increased training intensity in upcoming days, they have firmly established determination, pro-actively prepared training plans closely aligned with higher level’s guidance, emphasizing collective unity and self-disciplined training to overcome challenges and excellently fulfill the mission.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Binh, Commanding Officer of Company for the Female Military Medical Officers’ formation, underlined that their management and instructor teams will always closely supervise, motivate, and guide the soldiers to continually enhance training quality. The unit is committed to rigorous practice, actively competing alongside fellow formations in the peak emulation campaign towards this significant national celebration.
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Local people warmly welcome a train carrying parade forces at Dong Hoi Station (Quang Binh province). |
Meaningful support from railway sector
Ensuring the safe and timely southward movements of the parade forces required significant cooperation and commitment from the Vietnam Railways Corporation. This support symbolized solidarity between the railway sector and the military for the nation’s major anniversary. The five groups traveling south on five trains resembled the five directions of attack in the General Offensive and Uprising in the spring of 1975. The image of trains traversing mountains and rivers across the nation vividly evoked the symbolic unity of the reunified nation after the victorious spring of 1975. Throughout the long journey, the considerate reception and attentive care by the railway staff demonstrated their pride and unity, the continuation of the proud tradition of the industry and was a good wish to the participating troops.
Moreover, logistics, safety, and food hygiene during transportation were well-coordinated between railway authorities and agencies of the Ministry of National Defense, ensuring optimal health for the troops. The railway sector facilitated stops at major stations, such as Da Nang and Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province), allowing the soldiers to interact with local authorities and people, thereby reinforcing civilian-military solidarity and spreading patriotism. In turn, leaders and soldiers of the formations expressed deep appreciation for this meaningful and practical support provided by the Vietnam Railways Corporation.
Translated by Minh Anh