"I want to take my son to see the "soldier son""

Zhu Yunjie, Secretary General of the Patriotic Support for the Army Promotion Association of Hami City, Xinjiang

"Mom, your granddaughter misses you!" I just finished my work in the store and received a video call from "soldier son" Du Bobo. The little granddaughter in the video is less than one year old, and she is calling me grandma in her babbling voice. I was so happy. I talked to my "daughter-in-law" about taking care of children again, and more than an hour passed unknowingly.

The family of three in the video is my "soldier son" Du Bobo's family. In 2018, I learned that Hami City had a volunteer service team for supporting the army. My grandparents were both soldiers, and thinking that I could do something for the soldiers and their families, I joined the service team and later became a "soldier mother". In the past few years, I have successively recognized 4 "soldier sons" in 3 troops. Although Du Bobo has retired, we have always kept in touch and our feelings have not changed at all.

My first "soldier son" is called Yang Zhengming. He has lived with his grandparents since he was a child. I was worried that he would feel lonely and have no one to talk to, so I often went to the army to visit him and ask about his recent situation. In the summer of 2019, I learned that Zhengming was on duty in a certain place and his family could send him meals, so I quickly made dumplings and sent them over. After the meal, although we only chatted briefly and said goodbye in a hurry, I knew that this was what a "soldier mother" should do.

I have a son myself, but when my son goes home during the holidays, he often catches up with me to visit the troops, but I can't see him. During the National Day in 2023, my son went home for 3 days, and I happened to have condolences for 3 days. When I got home at night, my son ate takeout alone and joked, "Did you forget me because you have a "soldier son"?"

In fact, my son is very sensible. I often talk to him about our military support activities and the difficulties of some soldiers, and he is also enthusiastic to help solve them. If I have a chance, I would like to take him to the military camp to see my lovely "soldier sons".

During the New Year's Day, the "Soldier Mom" Love Group entered the military camp and celebrated the festival with the officers and soldiers. Photo by Zhang Bu and Jia Yanbo

"Mom will accompany you on the road ahead"

Li Chuanfeng, a member of the "Soldier Mom" Love Group

In 2016, Hami City established a volunteer service team for supporting the military and I signed up. My hometown is in Henan. I am a drama lover and usually love to sing Bangzi Opera. On holidays such as the August 1st Army Day, I follow the service team to visit and perform for the garrison troops.

In July 2017, a group of new recruits were undergoing new recruit training in Hami City. I went to participate in the consolation performance and sang a Henan Bangzi Opera. I noticed that a new recruit seemed particularly excited. Later I learned that his name was Hu Xin and he was from Yichuan County, Luoyang City, Henan Province. Thousands of miles away from home, it was the most cordial to hear the accent of my hometown. I immediately told him that he could contact me at any time if he needed anything.

After the new training, Hu Xin was assigned to a border post. I was worried about him, so I bought some gifts and took the high-speed rail to visit him. It was this time that Hu Xin told me some of his inner thoughts. His family had gone through many changes, and he lived with his elderly grandmother at his aunt's house when he was very young. He learned the skills of a chef and later joined the army.

From then on, I had more concerns in my heart and treated him as my own son. Due to the special nature of the army, Hu Xin and I don't have many opportunities to meet each other, and the occasional phone call is very precious to us. Hu Xin is relatively introverted and always speaks in a low voice, so I encouraged him to be confident and to be proactive in the army. Some things can't be explained clearly over the phone, and I, who haven't written letters for decades, picked up a pen and started writing letters again.

Soon after joining the army, Hu Xin's grandmother died of illness. When I learned about it, I quickly turned down the work at hand and went to the post with three "soldier mothers". When I saw Hu Xin, I hurried forward to give him a hug. Thousands of miles away from home, I am the child's support. I said to him: "Mom will accompany you on the road ahead."

"Mom supports all your decisions"

Wang Taohua, a member of the "Soldiers' Moms" Love Group

I was born in the 1960s. I have longed for the military camp since I was a child and wanted to join the army, but for various reasons, I was ultimately unable to do so.

At the end of 2017, my daughter took me to participate in the volunteer service activities of the Hami City Double Support Volunteer Service Team. I was very happy to be able to help the soldiers and their families. In May 2018, I followed the service team into the military camp for the first time. It was also on that day that I met a Uyghur soldier named Abdureimu Kudureti.

At first I was worried that we would have obstacles in communication, but after chatting for a while, I found that his Chinese was great and he was a passionate and down-to-earth young man. We exchanged contact information, and I was very touched that he often sent me messages to greet me, and I also encouraged him to do a good job in the military camp. This mutual care warmed my heart. Later, I recognized him as a "soldier's son".

Abdureyim is very sensible. Whenever he makes progress and achievements, he will tell me the first time. I also specially learned how to make some Uyghur special foods, and made some delicious food to bring to the condolence activities, so that he could taste the craftsmanship of "soldier mothers".

When Abdureyim was about to complete two years of service, I asked him whether he planned to stay in the army or retire and go home? He thought about it for a long time. I knew that he was reluctant to leave his comrades and us "soldier mothers". I said, no matter what decision you make, your mother will support you. You are still so young and can contribute to the country wherever you go. Your mother will always think of you.

Later, he retired and went back to continue his studies. Today, I still keep in close contact with him. A while ago, he said he was preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination. I am very pleased that my child has his own path, and I will always care for and support him.

"Mom wants to give you a home"

Ge Hong, a member of the "Soldier Mom" Love Group

Since 2018, I have often participated in the military support activities of the Hami City Double Support Volunteer Service Team. After a certain unit of the Armed Police Force made a match, I became a pair with soldier Wang Chengding and became his "Soldier Mom".

At first, I just thought Chengding was introverted and didn't talk much. Not long after, it was Mother's Day, and I sent a message to Chengding saying, "Remember to call your mother to say hello." Chengding replied, "I grew up at home with my grandmother." I asked him if his parents went out to work? He replied, "They are all gone."

When I saw this message, I was stunned, and then I knew why the army arranged for Chengding and I to recognize each other. I changed the subject and talked about something else to avoid making Chengding feel sad. That night, I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. What should I do to comfort the heart of my "soldier son" and make him feel the love of his parents?

Soon after, Cheng Ding was promoted to a sergeant, and I invited him to come to my home in Hami during his leave. Our family cooked together, talked about his life in the army, laughed and felt the atmosphere of home. Before leaving, he looked back at me after walking a few steps. Seeing his eyes, I walked up to him and hugged him. I want to say, my child, from now on, "soldier mother" will be your strong backing, and mother's heart will always be with you!

Map of this version: Hu Shuo

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