2008 China Earthquake Blog

Source: http://www.qianlong.com/2008-05-24 01:14:34

Translated by Lillian Wang

The story of “Dayu” in ancient China has been a household tale that which even he had passed through his home for three times he didn’t enter to see his wife and child, as he was so dedicated to the cause of dredging cannels at the time. While in the rescue teams to the massive earthquake disaster in Mianzhu, Deyang, Sichuan Province, there are many ‘DaYu’s, who don’t go back to their homes which they have passed through for dozens of times. Some of them have their grandfathers dead, or their parents injured and being in hospital, but hardly do they have time to care; as some don’t want to drop off the first rescue line, they pretend not to have heard of their families’ matters even if their relatives or leaders come to hasten their going back home…

PLA soldiers in Hanwang Town are having a rest.

Grandfather dead, parents injured, yet hardly have time to take care

“There is a solider whose home is in this Jinhua Town. He does search and rescue work here in the morning, and is dispatched to Hongbai Town to carry out other tasks in the afternoon,” When QianlongNet was carrying out a further interview into the army, one officer from PLA ‘ Air force told the reporter that the soldier was named Li Shaojie, 21. His grandfather died unfortunately in the disaster and his parents were injured, now in the hospital. Although he has been working in the very near spot to his home, he hasn’t even mentioned going back to see his family.

Furthermore the officer indicated that not until they were landed in the airport did Li get to know that it was his hometown where they were to rescue. During the rescuing days, Li took part in the rescue work actively, regardless of hardness and tiredness. Being familiar with the local mountain terrain in Longbao Ping, despite it was far and hazard, he introduced himself there.

Li’s army is a tough one.

Sister asks the leader to hasten the soldier’s going back home, while he pretends not to have heard.

Chenjun, monitor of Class 1in Zhoukou middle team of fire fighting commando, Henan Province, was also born in Hanwang Town, Mianzhu. As soon as he got to know the earthquake disaster in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province, he initiated to join in the rescue work. According to Chen’s instructor, at that time, the commando was carrying out the rescue work in Hanwang Town, Mianzhu, and Chen’s home was just two miles away from their residence. In this massive earthquake, all six rooms of Chen’s house were collapsed. Hearing the news from his parents, Chen consoled them that there were far more families suffering more, and that they should take care of themselves. He then turned back to join the rescue work.

Every day, from the residence place to the rescue spot in Hanwang Town, he passes through his home, but never has he gone back home. Considering the Aged parents, Chen’s sister came all the way to see him and told him the detailed situation of his family, and wishes he could come back to have a look. However, without saying anything, Chen sent his sister away. Ma Xinhua, vice captain of Zhoukou branch team, also tried to persuade him to go back home to see his family, but he always replied, “It doesn’t matter. Just wait after the work finishes.”

This entry was posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 6:05 pm and is filed under Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.