"Living milestones" on the fence

(GLO)- Along the more than 80 km long border with the Kingdom of Cambodia, along with the Border Guard soldiers who are always on hand with their guns day and night, there are also "living landmarks" who are village elders and prestigious people.

Although they do not wear military ranks, they still persistently contribute to guarding the fence, using their prestige and responsibility to unite the community, resolve conflicts, spread solidarity and build a solid position in the hearts of the people.

Keep the fence, cultivate trust

At the age of 75, the hands of village elder Siu Phyin (Goong village, Ia Púch commune) are still nimble at the brocade weaving loom. Few people know that she is the first female village elder of the Jrai community on the border of the province, trusted and respected by the people since 2016. Coming from a guerrilla background, having worked for many years in the work of the Commune Women's Union, she is both decisive, strong, and flexible. She believes that "empty words do not reach the people's ears", so she always takes the lead in doing things first so that the people believe and follow.

At the age of 75, the hands of old man Siu Phyin (Goong village, Ia Púch commune) are still nimble at the loom. Photo: PD

From improving sloping hills to grow cashews, teaching people to weave brocade, making rice wine, to patrolling the border with the army, Ms. Siu Phyin has become a spiritual support for the whole community. She sincerely shared: “Guarding the border is a shared responsibility. The army considers the station as home, the border as homeland, the people as blood brothers, and we always consider the army as relatives.”

Also on the border, Mr. Ksor Bong (73 years old, a prestigious person in Bi village, Ia O commune) is known as a dedicated "border marker keeper". Having worked as the head of the border self-management team, border marker 25 (3), he considers working side by side with the army as a way of life. Regardless of day or night, he and the army often went through the forest to patrol and control the border, especially persistently persuading 23 households with fields adjacent to the border to sign a commitment not to assist in smuggling, not to harbor strangers, and to promptly provide information to the authorities. He always believes that only when he is exemplary will people trust and follow. At the same time, he always reminds people that the border and border markers are the sacred flesh and blood of the Fatherland, and living on the border, they must uphold their responsibility to protect them.

Mr. Ksor Bong joined officers of Ia O Border Guard Station to patrol and protect landmark 25 (3). Photo: DVCC

Mr. Siu Deo (66 years old, a prestigious person in Mook Den 2 village, Ia Dom commune) is considered a skillful "mediator". Understanding customs, he knows how to reconcile customary law with the law, many cases are resolved reasonably, not allowing hot spots to arise. He persistently encourages people to abandon bad customs, build a civilized lifestyle, develop the economy together, and take care of their children's education. For him, solidarity is the foundation for a prosperous and progressive village.

“The villagers must be united for the village to develop. Therefore, whenever there is a problem in the village, I meet and discuss with all parties to clarify the matter and maintain solidarity,” Mr. Deo shared.

The fulcrum of the green uniform soldier

In 2024, all three village elders and prestigious people Siu Phyin, Ksor Bong, and Siu Deo were honored at the program "The Village's Support" jointly organized by the Communist Magazine, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Border Guard Command. This is a worthy recognition for their persistent and silent contributions.

Mr. Siu Deo talks with soldiers at the Le Thanh International Border Gate Border Guard Station. Photo: PD

The common points of village elders and prestigious people in border areas are patience, dedication and prestige. They work with the people to build village rules and regulations that are suitable to reality, resolve many issues right at the grassroots level, and strengthen people's trust in the Party Committee and government.

For the “green uniform” soldiers, village elders and prestigious people are not only a solid spiritual support but also a “special companion”. Together with the army, they “go to every alley, knock on every door”, propagandize and mobilize people to comply with the Party’s guidelines and policies, the State’s policies and laws, contributing to making the work of mass mobilization and border sovereignty protection more effective.

Major Huynh Ngoc Phu, Political Commissar of Ia O Border Guard Station, and Major Ro O Thuy, Deputy Political Commissar of Ia Púch Border Guard Station, both assessed: The voice of village elders and prestigious people has special weight and is trusted by the people more than any administrative document. Therefore, the unit always focuses on promoting their role in propaganda work, both connecting the community and creating a solid foundation for the task of protecting the border.

Thanks to the support of village elders and prestigious people, the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws reach the people in a close and easy-to-understand way. They are the "bridge" connecting the army and the people, contributing to consolidating the strong people's hearts and minds at the border.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nhung-cot-moc-song-noi-phen-giau-post565576.html