It was an old but profound story that happened when I was eighteen years old, in 1988.
My name is Li Tiezhu, and I was at the age of passionate youth. The squad leader of our class, Zhao Dali, is five big and three thick, and he is very strict with our group of hairy boys. At that time, I was getting along with the little flower in the class, and love is always something that makes people get carried away. But the squad leader didn't think so, he said that I had a long relationship with children all day long, and I was not manly.
"Tiezhu, you should study hard now, exercise your body, don't do these nonsense things!" The squad leader's words are still in my ears.
"I ...... I'll just talk to Xiaohua, what's wrong? I retorted in a whisper.
"Talk? When you get to the troops, there is time for you to speak! His eyes widened.
In this way, under the "arrangement" of the squad leader, I signed up for the army in a daze. On the day I left, Xiaohua came to see me off, with tears in her eyes.
"Tiezhu, you have to take care." She handed me a handmade sachet.
I clutched the sachet tightly, and my heart was full of mixed feelings.
When it came to the troops, it was a different world entirely. The training of recruits was so hard that I was almost out of breath, but it was also during this period that I changed from a weak scholar to an iron-clad man. The squad leader's words often echo in his ears: "Iron pillar, this is what a man should look like!" ”
One day, while we were training, we received an urgent task to go to the border to carry out a special mission. My heart tightened, this is real. At the border, we fought to the death with the enemy. The bullets whistled past my ears, and I was so frightened that my heart was about to jump out, but the squad leader's words seemed to give me endless strength: "What are you afraid of!" You're a man! ”
Just as I was about to get out, an enemy suddenly pounced on my comrade from behind. I didn't think anything about it, and one flew over and knocked him out of the way. As a result, one of the enemy's grenades was thrown at me. I watched as it rolled to my feet, and time seemed to freeze.
"Boom!" I lost consciousness.
When he woke up, he found himself lying in the hospital with a thick bandage around his arm. The doctor said I was dying, but I was only slightly injured. At this time, the squad leader walked in with guilt on his face.
"Iron Pillar, I'm sorry, I pushed you into the fire pit." His voice choked.
"Squad leader, if it weren't for you, I might still be a hairy boy who only knows how to fall in love. It was you who made me understand what responsibility is and what responsibility is. I smiled at him.
That battle made me remember what life and death are, and also made me understand the meaning of a man. Although I lost the opportunity to grow old with my little flower, I gained something more precious - growth.
This is my story, a story in 1988 when the squad leader refused to let me fall in love, sent me to be a soldier, and changed my life. This experience is like a passionate song that will forever reverberate in my life.
In the days after I was discharged from the hospital, I became stronger, and the appearance of a man said by the squad leader was deeply ingrained in my bones. Every time I carry out a mission, I rush to the front, because I know that this is my responsibility, my responsibility as a soldier.
One day, a letter came from the troops, it was Xiaohua's. I couldn't wait to tear it open, and it was written about her recent life, and how much she missed me. She said she waited for me, no matter how long. Reading and reading, my heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, painful but sweet.
I found the squad leader and said to him, "Squad leader, I want to ask for leave to see Xiaohua." ”
The squad leader glanced at me, was silent for a while, and said, "Tiezhu, you are a soldier, you have to put the country first." But I also know your feelings for Xiaohua. Well, I'll take a leave of absence for you, but you'll have to promise me that you'll have to work harder when you come back. ”
I nodded gratefully: "Squad leader, I promise." ”
Back home, everything is so familiar and strange. I found Xiaohua, she is still so beautiful, only with a little more maturity. We sat under the big tree at the entrance of the village, chatting about each other's past and future.
"Iron Pillar, you've changed." Xiaohua looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"yes, I've changed, I've become stronger." I took her hand and felt the familiar warmth.
"Will you ever come back?" She asked softly.
I was silent because I didn't know how to answer. The life of a soldier is full of uncertainties.
"No matter where you are, I will wait for you." Xiaohua said firmly.
The moment of separation always came so quickly, and I was back in the army. When the squad leader saw me coming back, he patted me on the shoulder: "Tiezhu, looking at your appearance, have you made up your mind?" ”
"Yes, squad leader. I want to work harder for Xiaohua and for the country. I replied.
Time flies like a white horse, and in the blink of an eye, a few years have passed. I was promoted to platoon commander because of my outstanding performance in battle. And Xiaohua is also waiting for me in my hometown.
On a vacation, I returned to my hometown with honor and determination and proposed to Xiaohua. She smiled and agreed, and at that moment, I felt like I was the happiest person in the world.
At the wedding, the squad leader, as my witness, looked at us with a look of relief in his eyes: "Tiezhu, you and Xiaohua have finally come together." You have to cherish each other and live well. ”
"Thank you, squad leader. It was you who made me understand what a real man is, and I will. I held the squad leader's hand tightly.
Since then, Xiaohua and I have lived a simple and happy life. My military career has taught me to take responsibility, and Xiaohua has taught me to cherish it. We have walked through the wind and rain hand in hand, and we have also ushered in the sunshine together.
Nowadays, whenever I see those young faces, I think of the years when I grew up under the leadership of the class leader. It was an unforgettable time and the most precious treasure of my life.
As the years go by, our lives are calm and fulfilling. As a platoon commander, the responsibility on my shoulders is heavier, but I have never forgotten the teachings of the squad leader back then, and I have done my best in every mission. Xiaohua also runs a small grocery store in her hometown, she always greets every customer with a smile, and her smile is my greatest comfort.
One day, a new task came from the troops, and we were going to support the construction work in the remote areas. I knew it was going to be a tough challenge, but I didn't hesitate to sign up right away.
"Iron Pillar, are you sure you want to participate in this mission?" The squad leader asked me with a frown.
"Yes, squad leader. I feel like that's what I'm supposed to do. I replied firmly.
The squad leader nodded, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes: "Okay, then let's go." Remember, you are there with a mission, to contribute to the people there. ”
I went home and told Xiaohua the news. She silently helped me pack my bags, her eyes full of worry.
"Tiezhu, you have to take care of yourself, we are all here waiting for you." Xiaohua's voice trembled a little.
I hugged her tightly and felt her warmth: "Don't worry, I will." Wait for me to come back. ”
In the outlying areas, the conditions were difficult, but every member of our troops had no complaints. We build roads, build bridges, and help local people solve their living difficulties. Whenever I see their grateful smiling faces, I feel that all the hard work is worth it.
Once, in the process of building an elementary school, we encountered a landslide. My comrades-in-arms and I risked our lives to rescue the buried villagers. At that time, I once again experienced the fear of the edge of life and death, but more importantly, it was the responsibility and responsibility of being a soldier.
After the mission, I returned to my hometown with a tired but satisfied heart. Xiaohua was waiting for me at the entrance of the village, her smile still warm.
"You're back." She hugged me tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm back." I replied softly.
Our lives were calm again, and I continued to serve in the army, while Xiaohua became a teacher in the village primary school. She always said that being able to do something for the children was her greatest wish.
Time passed slowly, and our children also grew up, and they inherited the wishes of me and Xiaohua and became responsible people. Whenever I see them, I think of my youth, the days I spent with the class leader in those years.
The years have left marks on everyone's faces, and the squad leader is getting old, but his spirit still inspires me. Every time he visited him, he would always say, "Iron Pillar, you are doing a great job, I am not wrong about you." ”
I smiled, my heart filled with gratitude. I know that my growth, my family, and my happiness are inseparable from the teachings of the squad leader and the tempering of that military career.
This is my story, the story of an ordinary soldier. There are no thrilling battles, no bold vows, only ordinary life and firm faith. I believe that such a story is flowing silently in the hearts of every soldier.
In ordinary days, I have spent many happy times with Xiaohua. We support each other to face life's challenges. Although there are sometimes difficulties and setbacks, we always believe that as long as we hold hands, there is nothing that cannot be overcome.
One day, I received a letter from a remote area. The letter wrote that the children there missed me very much and wished I could go back and see them. It was a surprise to me because I never imagined that I would be so impressed there.
I decided to take a leave of absence and go home and tell Xiaohua the news. She looked at me with anticipation in her eyes: "Iron pillar, you go." The children need you, just as the children in our village needed you. ”
I hugged her tightly and said gratefully, "Thank you, little flower." I will be back as soon as possible. ”
Back in the backwoods, I saw those familiar faces. The children ran over to me cheering and gathered around me, telling about their lives and growth. I was overwhelmed with emotion, it turned out that I had left such precious memories here.
There, I met my comrades-in-arms. They have been discharged from the army, but they still choose to stay there and contribute to the local people. We got together, reminisced about the old days, and laughed constantly.
Suddenly, an old man came over and held my hand tightly: "Tiezhu, thank you for saving me back then." If it weren't for you, I might not be alive anymore. ”
I was stunned, not knowing how to respond for a moment. I never imagined that my actions would have such a profound impact on others.
In the outlying areas, I had an unforgettable time. I was deeply touched by the innocence of the children and the firm belief of my comrades-in-arms. I've realized that no matter where we are, if we have kindness in our hearts, we can brighten the lives of others.
Back in my hometown, I told Xiaohua about this experience. After hearing this, tears flashed in her eyes: "Tiezhu, you can always bring hope and warmth to others." You are the greatest person in my heart. ”
I hugged her tightly and was full of emotion: "Xiaohua, you have been supporting me and encouraging me. I couldn't be where I am today without you. ”
As time goes by, our children grow up, they inherit our aspirations, and they become responsible people. Whenever I see them, I think of my youth, the days I spent with the class leader in those years.
The years have left marks on everyone's faces, and the squad leader is getting old, but his spirit still inspires me. Every time he visited him, he would always say, "Iron Pillar, you are doing a great job, I am not wrong about you." ”
I smiled, my heart filled with gratitude. I know that my growth, my family, and my happiness are inseparable from the teachings of the squad leader and the tempering of that military career.
This is my story, the story of an ordinary soldier. There are no thrilling battles, no bold vows, only ordinary life and firm faith. I believe that such a story is flowing silently in the hearts of every soldier.