When I found Old Luu Cong Bac's house, soldiers of Reconnaissance Battalion 20 under Hanoi Capital Command are supporting Mr. Bac to build a new house next to the old wall.
Bac was too old to join hands with the soldiers. Standing in front of the yard, he looked at the old house’s foundation. Maybe he was recalling old memories about his house built by his parents in 1972. After more than 50 years, the dilapidated old house is no longer strong enough to stand the hardness of nature.
    |
 |
|
Soldiers of Reconnaissance Battalion 20 help build a new house for Old Luu Cong Bac. (Photo: melinh.hanoi.gov.vn) |
Sitting in the middle of the yard, Bac told me about his days as a soldier of Company 18, Regiment 121, Division 345, Military Region 2. He participated in the operation to defend the Northern border.
On February 27, 1979, he was hit by a shell and lost an arm. Returning home, his life encountered a great deal of difficulties. However, something worse happened to him, he suffered two strokes that weakened his leg and his left eye is now completely blind. Receiving the news that Reconnaissance Battalion 20 helps him build a new house, Bac’s heart was filled with joy.
Private Nguyen Van Chinh from Company 2, Reconnaissance Battalion 20 shared that witnessing Bac's difficulties, his comrades and he heightened their responsibility to help his family to build a new house as soon as possible.
I went on to reach Tam Dong commune in Me Linh district (Hanoi). Despite the scorching sun, the officers and soldiers of Reconnaissance Battalion 20, together with local people, cut the grass, wiped gravesites, and cleaned up the environment surrounding the war cemetery. According to Major Nguyen Binh Quan, Political Commissar of Reconnaissance Battalion 20, these meaningful activities demonstrated troops’ tribute to fallen soldiers, contributing to the whole country’s efforts in carrying out gratitude activities. It was an occasion for the unit to educate its troops on the nation’s glorious traditions and raise their patriotism in the current context.
Additionally, Reconnaissance Battalion 20 also carried out mass mobilization work in the communes of Thanh Lam, Tam Dong, Kim Hoa and Dai Thanh (Me Linh district). The unit’s troops coordinated with local authorities to clean the environment and offered incense tribute to fallen soldiers at war cemeteries; presented dozens of gifts to policy beneficiaries and families of wounded soldiers. These deeds have contributed to multiplying a lifestyle of love and kindness in the community. Returning to the unit, I believe that troops of Reconnaissance Battalion 20 learned more life lessons in gratitude, thereby further actively contributing to the society and devoting themselves to serving the Fatherland and the people.
Translated by Quynh Oanh