Newlyweds go to Africa to keep peace

Members of Engineering Team No. 3 and Level 2 Field Hospital No. 6 set out for duty - Photo: NAM TRAN

Under the golden autumn sunlight of September, the uniforms of peacekeepers covered the airport of Division 371 (Air Defense - Air Force), preparing for their journey to Africa.

This is the largest troop transfer of the year by the Vietnamese peacekeeping force.

In this deployment, 184 officers and staff from the 3rd Engineer Team will replace the 2nd Engineer Team at UNISFA (Abyei area). Meanwhile, the 6th Level 2 Field Hospital with 63 members will replace the 5th Level 2 Field Hospital at the UNMISS Mission, South Sudan.

Captain Hoang Huu Cong Thanh and his wife, Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Nguyet Ha, went to Africa to do peacekeeping - Photo: NAM TRAN

"This trip we are a couple"

Amidst the warm hugs and gifts exchanged, Captain Hoang Huu Cong Thanh and his wife, Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Nguyet Ha, walked hand in hand. They met and became a couple while working in the same unit. Ms. Nguyet Ha said that what helped them bond was understanding and respect. Going to Africa together to carry out their mission was the wish of both of them.

Peacekeepers on their way to duty - Photo: NAM TRAN

Captain Cong Thanh shared that in 2022-2023, he had performed a peacekeeping mission as a military observer in South Sudan. Having just completed his mission away from the country for more than a year, Thanh whispered to his "comrade-in-law" to continue his peacekeeping mission.

During this trip, Mr. Thanh will take on the position of military-civilian and communications coordinator, while Ms. Ha will do administrative work for Engineering Team No. 3.

"We are the first couple from the 3rd engineering team to travel together. I am very happy because through this trip my wife has gained more knowledge and practical experience in military work.

My wife and I have been married for almost a year now. This year, we will celebrate our wedding anniversary in Africa (September 30). This will be the most memorable wedding anniversary, an impressive milestone in our lives," Thanh confided.

Working in the military at the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, every year Ms. Nguyet Ha witnessed the fluctuations in troop numbers, saw her teammates leave and return one by one, that urged her to be determined to leave.

"I really want to participate to better understand the peacekeeping mission that my teammates carry out. Through the knowledge and practical experience, I hope that when I return to the unit, it will help me in my work," Ms. Ha shared.

Son's pillow

On his second assignment away from home, Captain Bui Anh Dong - construction assistant, Engineering Team No. 3, prepares to leave in the arms of his wife and son.

The special thing Dong brought with him on this mission was the blue pillow his son gave him. The encouragement from his wife and children was his greatest motivation, a solid support for him to complete the tasks assigned by the Party and the State.

"My child is still young enough to understand the true meaning of this business trip of his father, but he may have imagined that it was a special mission... Dad will be away from home for a few months and will return to his mother and child," Dong confided.

Captain Bui Anh Dong prepares for a business trip away from home surrounded by his family - Photo: NAM TRAN

The duration of this mission is expected to last 12 months. Knowing that there will be many hardships, Captain Dong hopes to return to Abyei once again to help the local people, where there are still many difficulties and shortages.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vo-chong-son-cung-di-gin-giu-hoa-binh-o-chau-phi-20240926120444667.htm