Eyewitness Account of the Army's "Youth at the Battle Post" National Defense Education Situational Livestream Class and Military Open Day Event
Inspired by Heroes, Together Building the Dream of National Defense — Eyewitness Account of the Army's "Youth at the Battle Post" (青春战位说) National Defense Education Situational Livestream Class and Military Open Day Event
■ Cheng Zhiyuan, Yan Shuaiyin, PLA Daily Reporter Lü Desheng
"We do not believe there is a mission that cannot be completed, we do not believe there is a difficulty that cannot be overcome, we do not believe there is an enemy that cannot be defeated!" Banners snapped in the wind as the oath rang out with resounding force. On the morning of August 1, the "Three Believes" (三个不相信) heroic declaration echoed and reverberated across Yang Gengsi Square of a certain Army brigade.
On the occasion of the 99th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the Army for the first time organized the "Youth at the Battle Post" national defense education situational livestream class and military open day event, drawing on grassroots units. The unit in which special-class hero Yang Gengsi served during his lifetime became the organizer of this event.
In the Battle of Xiaogaoling during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, Company Commander Yang Gengsi led his troops in repelling eight enemy assaults until only he remained. To defend the position, he resolutely clutched a satchel charge and died together with the enemy.
"The combat spirit of the old company commander has always inspired the officers and soldiers of the company to forge ahead bravely." Ma Zhe, the 40th political instructor of the "Yang Gengsi Company," introduced to visiting guests that generation after generation of officers and soldiers, inspired and called forth by the "Three Believes" heroic declaration, have overcome one challenge after another, successively completing missions including live-force exercises, international peacekeeping operations, and international military competitions.
"Every day, we are accelerating our growth under the inspiration of heroes." Standing before the gate of the "Yang Gengsi Company," Xiao Rongji — younger brother of border defense hero Xiao Siyuan — wore a look of firm resolve. In 2022, he followed in his brother's footsteps and enlisted, joining the brigade and becoming the 6,986th soldier of the "Yang Gengsi Company." "The old company commander held Xiaogaoling with his life; my brother guarded the border line with his life. I must carry forward and develop the heroic soul (英雄魂), heroic spirit (英雄气), and heroic will (英雄志) that lived in them — at the critical moment, charge forward, hold the line, and win the fight!"
More than a thousand kilometers away in Chengdu, Sichuan, 93-year-old War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea veteran Sun Yuerong watched the weapons and equipment on the screen and saw the company battle flags fluttering in the wind; tears brimmed in his eyes. "I have dreamed of going back to see my old unit — I never imagined that today, through an online livestream, that wish would come true." Recalling the old company commander, the veteran sang with deep feeling the song from those years: "Heroes, soldiers, sing together — sing, sing of our hero Yang Gengsi…" The singing was filled with profound affection for his comrades and reverence for the hero.
A heroic company produces many heroes. Ten years ago, Yang Shupeng, a soldier of the "Yang Gengsi Company," was killed while carrying out a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. That year, his son Yang Yiming was only five years old. Since then, the company has frequently invited Yang Shupeng's wife to bring Yang Yiming back to visit, and Yang Yiming early on set his resolve to enlist when he grows up.
A heroic army loves the people; the people love a heroic army.
At the "August 1st Little Classroom" (八一小课堂) during the military open day, several teachers brought military children to create on the spot — five-pointed-star paper cuttings, neat and forceful calligraphy works, and lifelike tank drawings, all expressing their genuine love for the military.
"The 'August 1st Little Classroom' is a public-interest project our community has specifically created for the children of officers and soldiers; more than 600 military children have cumulatively participated in the relevant courses." Shen Shanshan, Party branch secretary of the Yang Gengsi Military-Civilian Unity Community (双拥社区), introduced that this community is Henan Province's first grassroots community named after a hero and dedicated to serving the military, and in recent years it has helped officers and soldiers resolve many practical difficulties.
On both sides of Yang Gengsi Avenue within the unit's garrison area, 56 display panels of the "Walking with the Army" (与陆同行) exhibition zone were arranged in neat rows. "The People's Army has passed through the smoke and fire of battle, achieved one glorious victory after another, and rendered immortal meritorious service to the Party and the people." Commentator Wang Baoyuan's voice was resounding and forceful.
Getting up close to weapons and equipment in the equipment display area was the most popular segment of the event among students. After climbing into a new-type infantry fighting vehicle to experience simulated firing, elementary school student Peng Yicheng was very excited: "This is the first time I've ever been in contact with such a big 'iron lump' — when I grow up, I also want to join the PLA."
In the individual assault tactical movement demonstration segment, the officers and soldiers of the "Yang Gengsi Company" moved with crisp precision, sparking heated discussion in the online livestream room. Netizens left comment after comment: "A heroic company has heroic soldiers," "Salute to the most beloved people (最可爱的人)"… The total viewership for the entire livestream event exceeded 9 million.
"Through the military open day, we have seen the people's love and admiration for heroes, and their trust and support for the people's soldiers." Officers and soldiers of the unit to which the "Yang Gengsi Company" belongs stated that they will firmly bear in mind the weighty trust placed in them, not disgrace their mission, train hard in the skills needed to win, use concrete actions to safeguard the peace of ten thousand households, and prove worthy of the glory of a heroic unit and of the expectations of the Party and the people.