Troops’ “days off”: Strengthening military-civilian ties

ĐBP - Apart from training duties, each field march of the officers and soldiers from Regiment 82, Division 355 (Military Region 2) is an opportunity to share, support, and assist local people in Điện Biên province.

Specific activities, such as supporting labor production, repairing houses, and disseminating legal knowledge, contribute to tightening the bond between the military and local people, spreading the beautiful image of the “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” among the ethnic communities in the province.

In the first phase of the 2025 day-off program for civil affairs work, officers and soldiers from Regiment 82 actively help local people and support local government efforts;

Almost a month ago, the officers and soldiers of Company 10, Battalion 3 (Regiment 82) embarked on a mission of field marching combined with civil affairs work in Pu Nhi commune. Their recent 15 days off became a meaningful practical training period, helping 100 officers and soldiers get closer to local people, share their hardships, contribute to strengthening political foundations, and reinforce the bond between the military and local people.

The officers and soldiers’ gear consisted of simple tools such as hoes, shovels, machetes, and brooms. However, with a strong sense of responsibility, genuine affection, and continuous effort, the officers and soldiers carried out many practical tasks, leaving a profound impact on the local authorities and people.

During the field march, the unit organized seven public awareness sessions with over 860 local people participating, covering policies of the Party and the State, such as the Military Service Law, the Marriage and Family Law, the Anti-Drug Law, policies on ethnic groups and religion, etc. This contributed to raising legal awareness and strengthening the trust of local people in the Party, the government, and the armed forces. Additionally, the regiment also used a broadcasting system to announce five programs on the traditions of Regiment 82 and the Vietnam People’s Army.

Youths from Regiment 82 provide free haircuts for locals.

In addition to enhancing legal awareness, the officers and soldiers carried out specific tasks to help local people. They assisted in leveling house foundations, digging drainage ditches, and constructing access roads for three households with special difficulties in Nam Ngam A village. Moreover, they helped the family of Mr. Lò Văn É, a revolutionary contributor, by leveling 105m2 of land for his house and clearing a 3.5km-long irrigation ditch to support agricultural production.

Witnessing these efforts, Mr. Lò Văn Diên, Head of Nam Ngam A village, emotionally shared: “During their stay in the area, the soldiers worked in all weather conditions, always being there in the most difficult places to help people improve their homes, repair roads, and clean the environment. Their dedication and affection make us very grateful and have made us love and respect the image of the ‘Uncle Ho’s Soldiers’ even more.”

Officers and soldiers from Regiment 82 clear roads and vegetation along inter-village roads.

In the first phase of the field march in 2025, the unit mobilized over 1,300 laborers for various tasks, including transporting construction materials, repairing barns, caring for crops on 1.2 hectares, fixing landslides that affected local roads, clearing vegetation, and cleaning nearly 10 kilometers of inter-village roads. To create a sense of closeness and friendliness, showing affection and responsibility towards the community, the unit cooperated with the local authorities to provide free haircuts for nearly 70 local people and students. Additionally, the officers and soldiers, together with Pu Nhi commune, built two flower gardens to welcome the commune’s Party Congress, participated in landscaping, and enhanced the appearance of the commune’s administrative center. These practical activities contributed to improving local people’s living standards, maintaining hygiene, preventing diseases, and ensuring traffic safety.

Mr. Đinh Quang Bạo, Chairman of the Pu Nhi commune People’s Committee, expressed: “We truly admire the sense of responsibility, discipline, and the closeness and sincerity of the officers and soldiers of Company 10, Battalion 3 (Regiment 82). Every action of theirs has significant meaning for local people of Pu Nhi, a mountainous area with many difficulties. The soldiers’ presence in the commune, helping local people with their labor, has not only provided physical support but also created trust and valuable encouragement for the ethnic minorities here. As a result, local people in the villages are even more fond of and trust the military.”

The image of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” has deeply embedded itself in the hearts of local people in the commune.

As part of the program, the unit also organized cultural and sports exchanges with youth and teachers from local schools. Football matches and cultural performances became a bridge, strengthening the bond between the military and the local people, and creating a closer relationship between the armed forces, teachers, youth, and the local community.

Captain Hạng A Dơ from Regiment 82 stated: “Each day-off event with civil affairs work is an opportunity for officers and soldiers in the unit to train, grow, and deepen the spirit of serving local people. For us, it is not just a duty but a responsibility and affection for local people in remote areas facing many difficulties. Through these concrete actions, we hope to contribute to consolidating local people’s trust and affection towards the Party, the State, and the military.”

With practical activities that clearly show the military-people relationship, the 82nd Regiment has been recognized and highly evaluated by the Party committee, the local government of Pu Nhi commune, and the provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization for successfully completing the civil affairs work in Phase 1 of 2025. Even though the field march has passed, the feelings and bond between the military and local people remain deeply etched in the hearts of every local resident and officer. The concrete actions of the soldiers have left local people of Pu Nhi with a beautiful image of the soldiers always being close to local people, understanding their needs, and working together with local people to build a better, more prosperous life.

Quang Hưng
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