All corners of villages in the communes are colorfully decorated with national flags, and the Co Tu ethnic minority people are eagerly celebrating the National Day.
Flags flying in border areas
The road leading to Ch’om and Gari has been paved with asphalt and concrete, but after each rainy season and landslides, numerous potholes are formed, making the journey to these areas more difficult.
These days, the Guol houses of the Co Tu ethnic minority people are beautifully decorated, standing out from the green background of the Truong Son mountain range. In these communes, on special occasion, artisans and skilled people are trusted to decorate the houses with drawings of animals and the traditional Co Tu dance, known as “Tung tung za.”
    |
 |
|
Troops of Gari Border Post and people in G’lao hamlet hanging national flags |
|
|
 |
|
People in Choong hamlet receiving national flag |
In celebration of the 79th anniversary of National Day on September 2, Political Commissar of Gari Border Post Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Phuc Truong decided to present 300 national flags to people in Gari and Ch’om communes to hang along the village roads. The unit also sent its troops to distribute and assist locals in hanging flags. Twelve banners were also prepared for the 12 villages of Gari and Ch’om communes to display at the village entrances.
Close bond between soldiers and locals
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Phuc Truong, the unit is tasked with managing Gari and Ch’om communes with over 90% of the population being Co Tu ethnic minorities. The locals strictly adhere to the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and local regulations.
Whether in wartime or peacetime, they always hold trust in the Party and great affection for President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved Father of the nation. Truong said that the national flag distribution and education about the significance and historical values of the National Day is an important activity, helping ignite locals’ national pride and determination to join the officers and soldiers of Gari Border Post to firmly protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and border security, and build prosperous border areas.
|
|
 |
|
Banners hung by troops of Gari Border Post in celebration of the National Day |
Annually, Gari Border Post calls on many charitable groups and benefactors to give support to the people in the border areas. The practical gifts are new plant varieties and livestock that are aimed to help locals escape poverty. This year, on the occasion of the 79th National Day, on the morning of September 1, Gari Border Post, in coordination with Thien Duyen Charity Group from Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam, and Da Nang, handed over 50 gifts, including rice, instant noodles, dried fish, cooking oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, water heaters, blankets, mosquito nets, and solar lights to disadvantaged families in Gari commune. The charity group also donated school supplies and sports equipment to the Gari-Ch’om Inter-commune Kindergarten and the Gari Boarding Primary School.
In G’lao village of Gari commune, early in the morning, the villagers gathered at the Guol house. The elderly wore traditional clothes, and the women chatted and laughed together. The children seemed to be the happiest because they knew they would get sweets. Songs in praise of the Fatherland were played, making the atmosphere even more lively. For people in the two communes, such occasions are opportunity for them to remember and express grateful to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. Thanks to peace, independence, and freedom, the Co Tu people now have good food, warm clothes, solid houses to live in, electricity, and all children can go to school.
|
|
 |
|
Needy families in Gari receiving gifts |
|
|
 |
|
Three hundred fruit trees presented to the people in Gari commune |
Now many Co Tu students go on to colleges and universities after graduating from high school. Many families, despite difficulties, are willing to borrow from the Policy Bank to fund their children's education. Young people who don't pursue higher education will choose to work as laborers in cities like Tam Ky, Da Nang, or in the Southern localities. Thanks to that, the child marriage situation in the localities was removed.
According to village patriarch Riah Dip, the communes’ achievements over the past time partly come from the efforts of troops of Gari Border Post. He said that all needy households have received support from the unit’s troops who have assisted them in building houses, presented plant and animal breeding, and called on benefactors to build schools for students.
|
|
 |
|
Presenting toys to children |
The practical deeds of troops of Gari Border Post have helped strengthen the solidarity between troops and people, contributing to firmly safeguarding border areas and further developing the border communes of Gari and Ch’om.
Translated by Tran Hoai