In the early days of 2025, young people across the country eagerly set out to join the army. In Pleiku City (Gia Lai), Le Thanh Mai, with a slim figure, decided to give up her stable job at a pharmacy to volunteer for military service.

This somewhat surprising decision was not only a personal choice but also her way of fulfilling her late mother's sacred wish.

Le Thanh Mai was born in 2000 and grew up in a family with a military tradition in Bruk Ngol village (Yen The ward, Pleiku city, Gia Lai province). Mai's father was a soldier, but she did not initially choose a military career. After graduating from high school, Mai studied Pharmacy at Pham Ngoc Thach Medical College (HCMC) and then worked at a pharmacy in Pleiku city.

Her decision to volunteer for military service surprised her family and friends. But few people knew that it was not only Mai’s wish but also her deceased mother’s last wish.

"I never thought about joining the army before. But recently, I felt it was time to fulfill my mother's wishes. She always wanted me to join the army to be my father's comrade. When she was alive, she often reminded me of this. After she passed away, I thought about it even more and decided to do it," Thanh Mai emotionally shared.

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Le Thanh Mai recently volunteered to join the army, fulfilling her late mother's last wish. Photo: Tran Hoan

Thanh Mai said that when she was a child, she had many different dreams. Sometimes she liked to draw and observe the world through colored pencil strokes on paper. When she grew up, she was fascinated by the image of strong and resilient female police officers. When standing at the threshold of life, Thanh Mai hesitated between many choices: becoming a teacher, pursuing a career in beauty, or some other direction. But then, her mother's advice helped her find her own path.

"My mother always wanted me to become my father's teammate. At that time, I didn't think much about it, but after my mother passed away, I understood her last wish even more," Thanh Mai confided.

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Mr. Le Hoang, Commander of the Yen The Ward Military Command, shook hands to encourage Le Thanh Mai to join the army. Photo: Tran Hoan

As a petite girl, Thanh Mai was worried when entering the military environment, which is considered harsh. But with the encouragement of her father and younger brother, who have been in the military, she gradually gained more confidence in her choice: "At first, I thought the military environment would be very difficult, especially for women. But after learning more, I understood that this is also an opportunity for me to practice and mature."

Before the day of departure, Thanh Mai burned incense at her mother's altar, choking up as she announced that she had fulfilled her mother's wish: "Your daughter has become a soldier, following in the footsteps of her father and younger brother on the path of military career. Mother, don't worry anymore, rest in peace."

Thanh Mai’s decision not only shows her love and filial piety towards her mother, but also the maturity of a young person who dares to accept challenges and lives responsibly towards herself and the community. She believes that with the professional knowledge she has learned, she can contribute to the military medical industry, take care of her comrades’ health, and continue the family tradition.

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With a slim body like her name, Le Thanh Mai is determined to train to quickly adapt to the new environment. Photo: Tran Hoan

In the 2025 military recruitment campaign, Gia Lai province had 2,875 citizens joining the army, including 6 female soldiers. Thanh Mai is one of the strong daughters, ready to wear the green military uniform, not only to fulfill her mother's last wish but also to continue writing the story of her own courage and will.