Flood Prevention and Disaster Relief: Soldiers in Action - Weathering the Storm Together, True Feelings Revealed in Adversity

Through Storms and Rain, We Stand Together; In Adversity, True Feelings Are Revealed

■ Yang Baolu, Reporter from the PLA Daily, Chen Xiaojie

On July 10, soldiers from the Mobile Brigade of the Guangxi Armed Police were clearing silt in Guigang City. Photo by He Qijun

“Comrades of the PLA, please save him!” On the afternoon of July 10, a man ran to a medical vehicle providing aid in the disaster area for help. Not far away, villager He Guangjin had collapsed on the ground, and the situation was critical.

On duty in the medical vehicle, Captain Fan Xin of a health company from a certain unit of the Southern Theater Command immediately led the medics to treat He Guangjin. After a series of rescue measures including a quick physical examination, physical cooling, and electrolyte infusion, He Guangjin gradually regained consciousness.

Opening his eyes and seeing the busy soldiers around him, He Guangjin couldn't help but burst into tears. It turned out that his father had passed away suddenly not long ago, and this flood had destroyed his home. Days of grief, high temperatures, hunger, and physical and mental exhaustion had left him unable to bear it any longer. “Cheer up, everything will be fine,” the medic comforted him while feeding him water, taking turns with other soldiers to reassure him. Under everyone's careful care, He Guangjin's condition gradually improved.

“Seeing the PLA gives us peace of mind,” “With the PLA here, we have hope”... Since the disaster occurred, the rescue soldiers have bravely ventured into danger time and again, dispelling the gloom and calming the hearts of the affected people.

On July 6, Yunbiao Town in Hengzhou City experienced severe flooding, with water levels rising dramatically. Villager Xie Jinyu, along with her 11-month-old child and four family members, was trapped in their home. Her mother, Su Hanshen, was unable to contact her for a long time, and in a state of anxiety, she sought help from the armed police. After understanding the situation, First Class Sergeant Dong Yatao and Second Class Sergeant He Guangliang drove a speedboat to the rescue.

The entire area was submerged in floodwaters, with no landmarks and difficult orientation, making the rescue extremely challenging. The soldiers relied on the outlines of rooftops to identify their location, continuously shouting and searching along the way. After relentless efforts, they finally found Xie Jinyu's home. At that time, the floodwaters had reached the second floor, and the family had taken refuge on the third floor. The soldiers carefully wrapped the baby tightly and assisted the adults onto the boat one by one, safely returning to shore.

The bond between the military and the people has always been mutual. On the morning of July 10, at the silt clearing site in the Guigang Sports Center, citizen Ms. Zhang brought over a hundred servings of hot porridge for the soldiers who had been fighting continuously, while nearby residents spontaneously prepared ginger syrup to send to the front lines. A kind-hearted woman brought mineral water and bread, but after being politely declined by the soldiers, she left the supplies and departed.

(PLA Daily, Guigang, Guangxi, July 10)