When new Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho province was inaugurated, troops of Brigade 249 also completed their mission and returned to their barracks. At the moment of farewell, a quiet sense of wistfulness filled the air. Affection and gratitude were exchanged through glances, smiles, and firm handshakes.
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People from all walks of life bid a fond farewell to officers and soldiers of Brigade 249. |
During the rainy season in 2024, the Red River swelled with muddy, fast-flowing floodwaters. Amidst complicated weather conditions caused by the circulation of Typhoon No.3, an unexpected incident occurred when Phong Chau Bridge collapsed. Facing the urgent needs of local residents, Brigade 249 mobilized more than 200 officers and soldiers, together with a large volume of engineering equipment, to Phong Chau ferry area to carry out the task.
Colonel Dao Van Hung, Second-in-Command of Brigade 249, recalled that following directives from the Engineering Corps, the unit launched and reinforced its equipment on the afternoon of September 28, 2024, assembling pontoon sections and bridge ramps. By the morning of September 29, the brigade had completed the assembly, connecting the two riverbanks. The unit then coordinated with other forces to open the bridge, ensuring road traffic for local residents.
For soldiers like Corporal Chu Duy Hieu of Company 1, Battalion 1, those days remain unforgettable. He remembers wading through heavy rain and rough waves to install the pontoon bridge. “For the people, we gave our utmost, regardless of hardship or danger,” he said. “Seeing the two banks reconnected and residents crossing the bridge safely made all the effort worthwhile.”
Once the pontoon bridge was operational, Brigade 249 maintained a demanding daily routine. Officers and soldiers woke up at 3:30 a.m. to prepare the bridge for traffic. In the early hours, lights shimmered across the river as engineers quietly carried out their duties to ensure smooth travel for residents starting a new day. At 9:00 p.m., the same soldiers worked quickly to dismantle the bridge so that waterway traffic could pass through.
The task was often complicated by unpredictable changes in the river’s flow. At times, Brigade 249 had to urgently dismantle the pontoon bridge and deploy military ferries to transport people and vehicles across the river. Over nearly a year of operation, the brigade ensured close to five million crossings by people and vehicles. In addition, when hydrological conditions caused the river’s flow velocity to exceed the bridge’s design limits, the unit converted the bridge into a 60-ton PMP ferry on 27 occasions to continue serving public travel needs.
At the pontoon landing, scenes of soldiers pushing carts up steep slopes, supporting the elderly, guiding children, and helping patients cross the river safely became familiar and deeply moving to local residents. These simple but devoted actions left a lasting impression of the Engineering Corps’ spirit of service.
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The dedication of Brigade 249’s troops impresses local residents. |
Throughout the mission, Brigade 249 received strong support from local Party committees, authorities, military agencies, public security forces, and especially the people of Phu Tho province. Senior Colonel Do Huu Tiem, Political Commissar of Brigade 249, emphasized that the timely material and spiritual support, shared meals, gifts, and sincere words of encouragement from residents became cherished memories for every officer and soldier, providing powerful motivation to complete the mission successfully.
When new Phong Chau Bridge was inaugurated, Brigade 249’s task also came to an end. As departure approached, emotions ran deep. To preserve the bond between the military and the people, the unit set up a small tent near Tam Nong High School, where residents wrote heartfelt messages of gratitude. Many expressed that the pontoon bridge was not only a means of transport, but also a symbol of responsibility and the close, enduring bond between the military and the people.
On the day of farewell, a light rain fell as residents from all walks of life came early, all reluctant to part with the soldiers. The image of engineering soldiers at the pontoon bridge, quiet, dedicated, and wholeheartedly serving the people, remains vivid. Though the soldiers have returned to their unit, the affection they built endures, living on in the hearts of the people they served.
Translated by Tran Hoai