Despite his small build, Private Phan Quang Vu (Squad 8, Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 1, Regiment 123, the Lang Son provincial Military Command) skillfully operated a hand roller. Nearby, three of his teammates quickly shoveled sand to help him level the walkways at Kien Moc Primary and Secondary Boarding School in Kien Moc commune, Lang Son province.
Starting from 6:00 a.m., the soldiers continuously transported materials, leveled the ground, and compacted the foundation. In another area of the construction site, a group of soldiers carried cement, sand, and bricks along an 800-meter steep slope to the work area, a physically demanding task.
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The officers and soldiers of Regiment 19 under Division 968, Military Region 4 participate in constructing and completing facilities at Huong Phung Primary and Secondary Boarding School in Huong Phung commune, Quang Tri province. |
Senior Lieutenant Tran Duc Hau, Officer Commanding of Company 3, said that since early July, about 100 officers and soldiers from Battalion 1 had been mobilized to support the contractor at Kien Moc school. The troops participated in various tasks, transporting about 3 tons of cement, 3 cubic meters of sand, and 10,000 bricks each day.
Senior Colonel Nguyen Cong Khue, Political Commissar of the Lang Son provincial Military Command, said that recognizing the importance of border boarding schools and the difficulties faced by contractors, the command had mobilized forces to help them complete the construction.
The unit pro-actively coordinated with local authorities, the project management board, and contractors, arranging flexible working shifts to ensure the project’s progress and quality.
Pham Van Dam, a technical staff member of Construction and Engineering Investment Joint Stock Company 29 (Corporation 319, Ministry of National Defense), who was responsible for the dining hall project at Kien Moc school, said that completing the first-floor leveling work would have taken 10 days with only civilian workers. With the support from the military, the time was reduced to five days.
Saving five days during the race against the schedule was highly meaningful and helped accelerate the implementation of other construction items.
At Khuat Xa Primary and Secondary Boarding School in Khuat Xa commune, Lang Son province, Tran Dang Khoa from Nga Phong Co., Ltd., highly appreciated the support of 40 officers and soldiers from Battalion 1, Regiment 123.
He said that amid labor shortages, the presence of responsible and disciplined military personnel provided valuable assistance to the construction process.
In Quang Tri province, Regiment 19 under Division 968 (Military Region 4) has also deployed about 20 officers and soldiers to support the construction of Huong Phung Primary and Secondary Boarding School in Huong Phung commune.
Lieutenant Colonel Duong Tuan Anh, Second-in-Command of Regiment 19, said that the troops clearly understood the significance of the project for border residents and were highly determined despite the harsh weather conditions.
Every day, commanding staff briefed soldiers on technical requirements and safety regulations before work and inspected the results after completion.
Besides military forces, the Party Committee and People’s Committee of Kien Moc commune also mobilized local residents from 15 villages to support contractors, with the number reaching about 200 people per day at peak times.
Many of them were parents whose children would soon study at the school.
Be Thi Thu from Po Hang village, Kien Moc commune, said that taking time off from farm work to contribute labor was a practical way to help complete the school where her child would study sooner.
Teacher Nong Van Hinh, Deputy Principal of Khuat Xa Primary and Secondary Boarding School, and other teachers also regularly visited the construction site to clean and prepare the facilities for students. Dressed simply, he carefully swept the classrooms and arranged desks and chairs as if taking care of his own home.
The enthusiastic and responsible participation of all forces at the border boarding school construction sites shows that these schools are built not only with concrete and steel but also with deep affection and responsibility. Border students will certainly feel this care and love when they enter their new schools.
Translated by Minh Anh
(To be continued)