Good News Delivered Home! He is Awarded Second-Class Merit for Participating in the Parade Twice

Recently,

Yunhe Town, Caiyuan Village, Heqing County, Yunnan Province

was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

A congratulatory team composed of the county's Veterans Affairs Bureau,

the county's armed forces department, and other military and local units

was surrounded by the dressed-up Bai ethnic villagers

as they passed through the lively village alleys.

Among the team,

Sergeant Hong Jianyao,

who was awarded the second-class merit,

walked tall and confidently at the front,

his military medal shining brightly on his chest.

His dark, resolute face

was filled with excitement and joy.

In front of the "Meritorious Family" door,

a crowd of neighbors and villagers gathered upon hearing the news.

Everyone sang and danced,

the octagonal drums in their hands beating out a cheerful rhythm.

Children ran after the team,

and the elderly smiled broadly.

"Our Caiyuan Village has produced a great hero!"

"This is the glory of our village!"…

Cheers and praises echoed.

Hong Jianyao, adorned with a ribbon, stood side by side with his family,

accepting the congratulations from the people of his hometown.

84-year-old Grandma Hong tightly held her grandson's hand,

tears of joy welling up in her eyes as she said,

"My A-Yao has made a name for himself in the army,

bringing honor to our hometown.

Grandma is truly proud!"

His father, Hong Zengrong, was carefully adjusting the ribbon that read,

"One person's merit, the whole family's glory."

His mother, Duan Yongzhen,

kept wiping her joyful tears.

Every time they looked at their son,

their eyes were filled with comfort and pride.

Entering the living room, warmth enveloped the space.

Military and local leaders sat around with Hong Jianyao's family,

inquiring about his recent situation in the army.

On the wall,

a congratulatory notice for a third-class merit from six years ago still shone brightly.

Now,

the brand new second-class merit notice hung alongside it.

Above the notices,

two photos from different years of military parades

quietly told the story of Hong Jianyao,

who had participated in the parade twice.

In 2019,

after going through multiple assessments and selections,

Hong Jianyao was chosen to be part of the peacekeeping unit for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

To meet the standard of "96 meters, 128 steps, 66 seconds"

with "no errors,"

he trained hard and pursued excellence.

In the end,

he proudly walked past Tiananmen,

successfully completing the parade mission.

In 2025,

he volunteered to fight again,

serving as the flag bearer for the battle flag team

at the parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

and the World Anti-Fascist War.

To master the skill of "steady flag with moving vehicle,"

he put extra pressure on himself outside of the concentrated training.

In the end,

he held high the "Ambush Regiment" battle flag,

once again proudly accepting the review from the motherland and the people.

Stepping off the parade ground, his true self is a fine soldier.

As a professional backbone,

Hong Jianyao brought the "parade standards" to the training ground,

winning first place in the brigade's armament competition for three consecutive years.

The new equipment usage manual he wrote

became a "treasure" for his comrades.

After 12 years in the army,

he has been awarded second-class merit once

and third-class merit once.

With tangible achievements,

he practices loyalty and responsibility.

Hong Jianyao's advanced deeds of participating in the parade twice

and achieving new merits

have spread throughout his hometown with the congratulatory notice.

Many media outlets have reported successively,

and numerous netizens have given their thumbs up.

According to staff from the Heqing County Recruitment Office,

many young people and parents have recently come to inquire about recruitment policies.

The "hero effect"

is being released in this "Bai ethnic hot land,"

constantly inspiring passionate youth

to join the military and serve their country.

▶▷ Written by : Ren Yuting, Min Ning, Zhang Xiang; Photography: Fu Deshan, Teng Zhaosen, Lei Fang