Sources: All information stated in this article is based on reliable information, and is summarized at the end of this article.
In 1984, 29-year-old Cheng Zhiqiang held high the "August 1st" military flag, walked into Tiananmen Square with standard steps, and completed this arduous and glorious task under the eyes of the whole world.
In 1997 and 1999, he served as the commander-in-chief of the flag-raising ceremonies for the return of Hong Kong and Macao, and with his meticulous spirit, he ensured the smooth progress of these two important ceremonies.
After that, he must be the first to stand up as long as the country needs it, so much so that he only took 59 days off after 27 years of service, and even missed his own wedding......
Honor guard
Cheng Zhiqiang's initial path to joining the guard of honour was not all smooth sailing. As an ordinary young man from the countryside, his physical condition did not meet the strict requirements of the honor guard.
Because he has been doing farm work for the family since he was a child, he is slightly hunched back, and his legs are a little looped, which should have been a fatal flaw in becoming a guard of honor. But Cheng Zhiqiang did not give up his dream because of this.
Instead, with extraordinary perseverance and determination, he began a grueling self-training. Cheng Zhiqiang wakes up an hour earlier than others every day and uses this time to strengthen his leg strength. He repeatedly practiced basic movements such as standing upright and striding in an effort to correct the incongruity caused by his physical problems.
Even in the cold winter, he insisted on training outdoors, and his clothes were soaked with sweat every day. And his perseverance paid off in the end.
Cheng Zhiqiang not only successfully overcame his physical defects and joined the honor guard. He also became the platoon leader of the honor guard and the executive captain of the honor guard with his outstanding performance.
National Day flag bearer
In 1984, China held a military parade again after 24 years, and everyone knew the importance of this military parade. Cheng Zhiqiang was selected as the flag bearer of the military parade, and when Cheng Zhiqiang learned of this, he felt the country's trust in him and knew that he had a great responsibility.
In order to be in the best shape at the parade, he threw himself into even more strenuous training. That summer, the temperature in Beijing often reached more than 38 degrees, but Cheng Zhiqiang and his comrades continued to train under the scorching sun.
He wore a heavy dress, held a 10-kilogram military flag, and practiced over and over again. In order to increase the difficulty of training and improve his adaptability, Cheng Zhiqiang also took the initiative to ask for training in different terrain and weather conditions.
They march on potholed roads, keep their flags steady in strong winds, and even practice in the rain to adapt to all kinds of situations that may arise. At night, after the tourists in Tiananmen Square dispersed, Cheng Zhiqiang and his comrades-in-arms began a new round of training.
They had to adapt to the topography of the square and be familiar with the location of each brick to ensure that they were able to score exactly when it came to the official parade. Hard work pays off, and in the final assessment, Cheng Zhiqiang's performance is very good.
His every movement is precise and every step is steady and powerful. The judges unanimously agreed that Cheng Zhiqiang not only has the skills that an excellent flag bearer should have, but also shows the temperament and spirit that a soldier should have.
Finally, at the military parade on October 1, 1984, Cheng Zhiqiang completed his mission perfectly. When he held high the military flag and led the first party through Tiananmen Square, the audience was shocked.
Cheng Zhiqiang's upright posture, firm steps and solemn expression not only show the good demeanor of the Chinese soldiers, but also highlight the spiritual outlook of the Chinese army in the new era.
Commander-in-chief of the return of Hong Kong and Macao
On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong returned to the embrace of the motherland, which was a milestone event in the history of the Chinese nation.
This time, the state handed over the important task of commander-in-chief of the flag-raising ceremony for Hong Kong's return to China to Cheng Zhiqiang. He is well aware of the importance of this task, which will be watched by all countries and will have an impact on the country if it is missed.
In order to ensure the perfect presentation of the ceremony, Cheng Zhiqiang made several field trips to Hong Kong to study the site conditions and weather conditions in detail. After returning to Beijing, he led the team to conduct repeated drills in the simulation training venue every day.
Since the return ceremony was scheduled to take place at zero o'clock, Cheng Zhiqiang also specially adjusted the training time to let the players adapt to the rhythm of late-night work. He attaches great importance to the coordination of the flag-raising action and the performance of the national anthem, requiring that every detail must be accurate.
During the preparation, even though he suffered from hyperthyroidism, he still insisted on high-intensity training. Once he accidentally fell and injured himself in training, he did not stop and continued to work with the injury.
Half a month before the start of the ceremony, the Chinese honor guard and the British honor guard conducted a joint exercise. There were clear differences between the two teams in terms of attitude and discipline, especially on the issue of pace.
However, Cheng Zhiqiang, with his professionalism and diplomatic wisdom, successfully reconciled the contradictions between the two sides and finally reached an agreement. This process not only demonstrated his leadership skills, but also demonstrated the professional qualities of Chinese soldiers.
Finally, at that exciting moment, the flag-raising ceremony took place as scheduled. Cheng Zhiqiang commanded the honor guards to follow his carefully designed process and meticulously complete each link. They precisely control the speed at which the flag is raised, ensuring that the flag rises exactly to the top of the flagpole when the last note of the national anthem sounds.
When the five-star red flag was raised in the night sky of Hong Kong, the audience at the scene burst into tears and rejoiced in the fact that the great cause of the motherland's reunification had made another important progress.
The ceremony was a complete success, but Cheng Zhiqiang was hospitalized due to overwork, and the long-term high-pressure work seriously overdrew his body. However, as a soldier, Cheng Zhiqiang did not stop because of this.
In 1999, he once again served as the commander-in-chief of the flag-raising ceremony for Macao's return to the motherland, applying the valuable experience of Hong Kong's return to Macao and once again perfectly presenting this solemn and sacred moment.
Miss the wedding
In Cheng Zhiqiang's personal life, especially in marriage, it also reflects his dedication to work and selfless dedication to the country. As a soldier, Cheng Zhiqiang is well aware of the heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, so he has to make many sacrifices in his personal life.
Cheng Zhiqiang and his fiancée Wei Qianfang have been in love for 8 years and have not been married, due to the particularity and busyness of his work, Cheng Zhiqiang has had to postpone his marriage to his fiancée Wei Qianfang many times.
It wasn't until after another postponement that Cheng Zhiqiang's parents finally couldn't help it, they directly set a date for her marriage, and then sent Cheng Zhiqiang an invitation, asking him to take leave to attend his wedding.
But just a few days before the wedding, Cheng Zhiqiang had to be absent from his wedding because of an urgent task, and although he knew what it meant for his wife to be absent from his wedding, he insisted on putting the country first.
In this way, Cheng Zhiqiang still failed to attend his wedding, and the groom at the wedding was replaced by Cheng Zhiqiang's sister. This outrageous incident also made the relatives and friends who arrived at the scene that day feel very confused.
Fortunately, Cheng Zhiqiang's fiancée Wei Qianfang is very understanding and supportive of him. She is well aware of the importance of the work that her future husband is engaged in, so she chooses to support and wait unconditionally.
Wei Qianfang's generosity and strength are not only the best support for Cheng Zhiqiang, but also the key factor in the maintenance of their marriage.
After he retired, according to statistics, he took only 59 days of vacation in 27 years, an average of 2 days per year. And in the past 27 years, he has spent the years with his family on his fingers.
启示
Cheng Zhiqiang's life experience, from the hardships of childhood to the dedication of adulthood, all demonstrate the growth trajectory and dedication of a soldier. His story tells us that the growth of an individual is closely related to the development of a country, and that personal dedication is an important force for the progress of the country.
Cheng Zhiqiang used practical actions to explain what is responsibility and what is responsibility. His story inspires us that while pursuing personal ideals, we should also be concerned about the development of the country and closely link our personal destiny with the destiny of the country. It is precisely because there are countless people like Cheng Zhiqiang who have made silent dedication to China's brilliant achievements today.
Resources
New Hunan "Reportage丨The First Soldier in the World (4)" 2017-08-11