In 1998, an extraordinary moment was staged at the Fort Benning Army Base in the United States in an unforgettable hug of friendship. Imagine that a high-ranking Chinese military, General Zhang Wannian, is suddenly hugged tightly by a burly figure in a group of American troops, and the voice "I can be regarded as having caught you!" It's enough to make people mistakenly think it's a scene in a movie. But this is not a movie, this is a real scene. Why would the commander of the U.S. Army, General Sully, be so excited to embrace a Chinese general? What is the untold story between the two? Today, let's uncover their stories of those years together.
Back on that day in 1998, General Zhang Wannian led a mission into American soil, specifically at the Fort Benning Army Base in Georgia. There were not many such military exchanges between China and the United States at that time, especially when a senior general like Zhang Wannian personally stepped in. This is not just a simple visit, but an important node of military exchanges between the two countries.
When Zhang Wannian and his party had just walked into the gate of the base, suddenly, a tall figure rushed out of the crowd and hugged him directly. This sudden scene made the accompanying Chinese security personnel nervous, instinctively thinking that something was wrong. But then, from the mouth of the American General Shali, a sentence burst out that confused everyone present: "Zhang Wannian, I can be regarded as having caught you!" ”
It turned out that Shali was not motivated by hostility, but by a long-lost excitement and excitement. Between him and Zhang Wannian, there is an unknown past. The reunion of these two generals, who had been rivals on the battlefield, in peacetime, in this way undoubtedly makes people feel the rare friendship in the flames of war.
Let's talk about Zhang Wannian's story. Born in Shandong in 1928, he joined the ranks of the anti-Japanese resistance when he was a teenager and became a member of the Eighth Route Army. Zhang Wannian's military career has run through almost all the important military conflicts in modern China, from the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression to the War of Liberation, and then to the later self-defense and counterattack against Vietnam.
In particular, in the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, the 127th Division commanded by Zhang Wannian performed well, and the Vietnamese side even put forward the slogan of "Destroy 127 and capture Zhang Wannian alive", which shows his importance in the eyes of the enemy. His military talent and heroic performance not only made him famous in China's military circles, but also gave him a certain degree of international popularity.
In the United States, General Shali's knowledge of Zhang Wannian was not just through intelligence or the narration of a third party. Their paths have intersected at some unknown historical junctures, even though these past events are little known in the public historical record. This kind of emotion of transcending friend and foe, with respect and awe, is a unique emotion unique to military personnel.
Before Zhang Wannian's visit to the United States, Shali had already received news of the Chinese general's upcoming visit. This is not only a task for Shali, but also a rare opportunity to relive the memories of his youth and the deep friendships forged in the smoke and smoke of war. One can imagine how excited and complicated Shali's mood was when it was confirmed that Zhang Wannian would come to Fort Benning in person.
In addition to a formal military exchange, Zhang Wannian's trip is also a review of the past years. He probably didn't expect that Sully would greet him in such a way, that hug not only an old rival, but also the memories of those war-torn years.
In the next few days, the exchange between the two generals was no longer a serious military issue, but more about reminiscing about the past and sharing their experiences and changes. It is conceivable that in such a dialogue, there is no lack of reflection on war and cherishing peace.
Here, we have to mention how this special affection between military personnel is formed. On the battlefield, life and death seem to be the only rule, but in those gunsmokes, the courage and intelligence to fear the opponent are also quietly taking root. The story of Zhang Wannian and Sha Li is a true portrayal of this complex emotion.
With the passage of time, this visit has not only deepened the understanding and friendship between the Chinese and US militaries, but also become a beautiful talk. Many years later, when people mention this history, they will not forget the heart-wrenching "I can count on you!" at Fort Benning. Behind this sentence is not only Shali's recognition and respect for Zhang Wannian, but also the memory of that common history.
In fact, such a story is not an isolated case, in the long river of history, countless soldiers like Zhang Wannian and Sha Li have written countless moving chapters in the interweaving of war and peace. Their stories make us understand that despite the cruelty and ruthlessness of war, the brilliance of humanity can penetrate the haze of war and illuminate the way forward.