Free to speak" those figures with "love" written on them

◎ Hong Jinfeng

In 2014, I just had the opportunity to go to Guangfu Township in Hualien to assist in disaster relief and record disaster relief matters before the Liberation Day. I was very moved and full of enthusiasm.

When I arrived in Guangfu Township that afternoon, I was deeply moved by the thousands of passionate people who worked hard to clear Guangfu Township and devoted themselves to the restoration work without any regrets or regrets.

Almost all the streets and alleys in Guangfu Township were covered in gray mud. No one was spared, and all the furniture in people's houses were completely destroyed. Look at the video of the disaster. Cars of all sizes were washed away by the rushing mud. After the mud stopped raging, all that was left was a sad and tragic scene.

Fortunately, Taiwan has too many caring people and timely officers and soldiers who, with their blood and tools, selflessly and lovingly cleaned up the mud left by the natural disaster in the disaster-stricken villages. During the three consecutive holidays from the end of September to the beginning of October 2014, tens of thousands of people helped restore the city appearance and interior decoration of Hualien, giving people a feeling of regaining their homeland, which is worthy of praise.

During the Hualien Barrier Lake Flood in 2025, Taiwanese people, officers and soldiers, with their blood and tools, selflessly and lovingly bent over to clean up the mud left by the natural disaster in the disaster-stricken township. (File photo)

If you have ever been to the scene, you will actually feel the ruthlessness of natural disasters and the true scene of love in the world. If you have ever been a shovel superman, you will know how difficult and difficult the recovery work is. If you have chatted with the frightened local residents, you will understand the feeling of "plans cannot keep up with changes, and people are powerless when disaster strikes."

The scene I saw at the scene that day was: "Shovel Superman wearing gloves, rain boots, shovels, and buckets, as well as national military officers and soldiers, were distributed in various lanes and people's homes. Everyone was shoveling the mud non-stop, collecting the mud in one place, and then transporting it away on trucks. Some people also went to help tidy up people's homes. When the people saw the soldiers in military uniforms, they all expressed words and expressions of gratitude from the bottom of their hearts."

All people are not afraid of dirt, mud, hardship, or difficulties. They work within their ability and do their best to contribute to the recovery work of the disaster area. Even foreigners are not lagging behind others in their love and continue to bend down and dredge the mud. Those figures with "love" written on them will stay in my heart forever. Even when I return to my place of residence, they continue to replay in my mind, which moves me again and again.

This year's Typhoon Qiangbi also hit on the eve of Liberation Day. I also saw many officers and soldiers on the front line of rescue operations, showing the spirit of great love and making Liberation Day more commemorative.

Typhoon Qiangpit hit on the eve of Liberation Day, and many officers and soldiers were on the front line of the rescue effort. The picture shows the Army Lanyang Regional Command inspecting disaster relief equipment. (Provided by the Third Combat Zone)

(The author is an administrative staff member)