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Xinhua News Agency, Hohhot, December 6 Title: Stepping in the footsteps of a hero, he saluted the boundary monument with the last military salute
Mei Shixiong, Wang Zhenshu, Zhou Hailiang
It is another year of retirement season, and Liu Zhiqiang, a sergeant of the second battalion of a certain border defense brigade of the Northern Theater Army, is about to take off the uniform he has worn for 12 years and bid farewell to his military career.
Before leaving the barracks, 32-year-old Liu Zhiqiang's greatest wish was to follow the footsteps of the border martyr Li Bo for the last time on the border line, paint the boundary monument red, and salute the boundary monument.
On the afternoon of December 5, the reporter followed Liu Zhiqiang's patrol team, braved the wind and snow, and marched towards the No. 87 (1) boundary monument dozens of kilometers away.
Journalists (first from left) patrol the border with officers and soldiers. Photo by Li Shuangming
Veteran Liu Zhiqiang patrolled the border line for the last time. Photo by Li Shuangming
At this time, on the banks of the Ergun Boundary River in the northern Xinjiang of the motherland, the temperature has dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, and the cold wind is whistling. Liu Zhiqiang, whose face was frozen red, marched energetically through the patrol.
"Our brigade has deep red genes and heroes." Liu Zhiqiang told reporters as he walked, "Just last month, Corporal Li Bo of the Sixth Company died heroically during the patrol, and his deeds were touching. ”
"On November 16, Li Bo led two comrades to patrol the border line we were walking, and one of the comrades accidentally fell into the glacier, and he stepped forward to save them, desperately pushing his comrades to the ice. His comrades were saved, but he never came up again. Wang Xin, the leader of the patrol team and the instructor of the Sixth Company, said.
In connection with studying and implementing the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Nineteenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Liu Zhiqiang and his comrades-in-arms deeply studied Li Bo's advanced deeds, strengthened their ideals and convictions, concentrated their efforts on training troops and preparing for war, and continued the fine traditions.
In August this year, Liu Zhiqiang participated in the post skills competition organized by the brigade together with Li Bo and won awards together. He said: "Li Bo's heroic feats are touching and inspiring. Before leaving the team, I will re-walk the patrol road, pay tribute to the hero, and learn from the hero. ”
On the banks of the Erguna River, in the midst of the ice and snow, a patrol dressed in camouflage quietly marched forward.
Suddenly, Wu Yaowei, a warrior carrying heavy communications equipment, fell heavily into the snow. He quickly got up and went on again.
The wind was getting stronger and the snow was getting thicker, and Liu Zhiqiang, who had been rated as an "excellent non-commissioned officer" and an "excellent soldier" many times, encouraged his comrades-in-arms to forge ahead.
"There is a situation!" Suddenly, Wang Xin, who was marching in front, waved his right hand, and the command team quickly unfolded in a battle formation.
"500 meters southwest of Boundary Monument 87 (1), suspicious items were found." Through the Beidou navigation system, the patrol quickly reported the "enemy" situation to the company combat duty room.
After the "enemy" situation was dealt with, the patrol continued to advance against the fierce wind.
In the distance, the word "China" is clearly visible on the boundary monument No. 87 (1). Liu Zhiqiang could not hide his inner excitement and strode forward.
Standing in front of the boundary monument again, Liu Zhiqiang burst into tears. He took out his pen and carefully drew on the word "China" one by one.
"I will not fade my spirit when I retire from the army, and on the road of life in the future, I will always maintain the true color of a soldier." Liu Zhiqiang said.
At this time, Liu Zhiqiang's expression was solemn. He straightened up his army, took two steps back, and solemnly saluted the last military salute toward the sacred Boundary Monument No. 87 (1).
"Salute!" Wang Xin led the other patrol members to salute the veteran Liu Zhiqiang with a military salute and solemnly promised, "Please rest assured that the old squad leader will be loyal, responsible, proud of dedication, optimistic, and guard the northern Xinjiang of the motherland." ”
The sonorous vows reverberated for a long time in the vast Hulunbuir grassland.
Veteran Liu Zhiqiang painted red on the boundary marker. Photo by Li Shuangming
Veteran Liu Zhiqiang saluted the boundary monument for the last military salute. Photo by Li Shuangming
Officers and men who remained in the team saluted the veterans. Photo by Li Shuangming