Three generations of Zhang Jisheng’s family joined the army. Photographed by our reporter Cui Kun
In October 1958, General Xu Shiyou was with the soldiers of the 6th company and the 7th squad of a certain unit of the 179th Division of the 60th Army (the one in the front is General Xu Shiyou, and the one in the middle with white uniforms is the squad leader Zhang Jisheng) . Photo by our reporter Cui Kun (reproduced old photo provided by the interviewee)
Editor's note:
In order to thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's thought on strengthening the army, create a strong atmosphere of loving and supporting the army in the whole society, and establish the supreme glory of joining the army to serve the country. Oriented to continue to inspire the enthusiasm of the majority of Shangqiu officers and soldiers and retired soldiers to take on their responsibilities, the Propaganda Department of the CPC Shangqiu Municipal Committee, the Municipal Veterans Affairs Bureau, the Municipal Women's Federation, and the Shangqiu Military Division Political Work Office jointly launched a search for "Three generations of military service·Emotional ties" "National Defense" Most Beautiful Family Activity, 173 three-generation military families in the city who have deeply rooted in the feelings of family and country, inherited fine family traditions, and promoted new trends of civilization were commended.
From now on, this newspaper will launch a series of reports on the most beautiful families, "Three Generations of Military Soldiers, Love for National Defense", and will successively visit 12 of the families to tell the story of the three generations of military families in our city who have inherited fine family tradition and family training, joined the military, and protected their families. The story of their dedication to the country and society demonstrates their love for the country and their country in dedicating their youth to the cause of strengthening the motherland’s military and national defense, thus inspiring more passionate young people to enter the military camp and hold on to the guns to guard the lights of thousands of homes.
Three generations have joined the army to serve the country and pass on the good family tradition from generation to generation.
Zhang Jisheng, a retired cadre who lives in the Family Court of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection on Huaihe Road, Suiyang District, has three generations of his family who have joined the army. Although they live in different generations, they share the same beliefs and feelings. On June 22, under the scorching sun, our newspaper's "Three Generations of Military Soldiers and Love for National Defense" special report team on the most beautiful families came to the home of 86-year-old Zhang Jisheng to interview him. He said: "Three generations of our family have joined the military to protect our family and the country. Only when the army is strong can the country be prosperous and the people can live a happy life.”
Zhang Jisheng was originally from Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province. In 1955, he enlisted in the 179th Division of the 60th Army. After three years of training and training, 22-year-old Zhang Jisheng was appointed as the squad leader of the seventh team of the sixth company of the "Linfen Brigade". October 16, 1958, Zhang Jisheng will never forget. On this day, Chinese People's Liberation Army General and Nanjing Military Region Commander Xu Shiyou followed Chairman Mao's instruction of "generals serve as soldiers in their companies". They took off their general uniforms and put on soldier uniforms. .
Zhang Jisheng showed us the old photos he had collected for more than 60 years and a stack of letters written to him by Xu Shiyou, and said happily: "The corporal squad leader leads the general, and the squad leader leads the commander. This is something that has never happened in ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad. But In our army led by the Communist Party, there is such a beautiful story. "
General Xu Shiyou served as a soldier with Corporal Squad Leader Zhang Jisheng for a month, eating, living, working, entertaining and training with everyone. Zhang Jisheng recalled: "We all called him Lao Xu. Although he was the commander, he had no airs at all and never tried to be special. He told me that as a soldier, I obey the orders of the squad leader, and the squad leader obeys the platoon leader, Only when the platoon leader obeys the company commander and the first level obeys the first level can we win in unison." Xu Shiyou also often communicated with Zhang Jisheng, teaching him how to get along with the soldiers and encouraging him to carry forward the glorious tradition of our army, guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and study hard. .
After Xu Shiyou left the company, Zhang Jisheng often wrote letters to him. The two exchanged letters for more than 20 years and formed a deep friendship. Under the influence of Xu Shiyou, Zhang Jisheng joined the party and was promoted to a cadre in the army. He went to military schools many times to study and train, and also obtained a college diploma. In 1968, he was awarded the third-class personal merit .
In 1981, Zhang Jisheng, who had been a soldier for 26 years, transferred to work in the Shangqiu Prefectural Party Committee, and later served as the Discipline Inspection Secretary of the Municipal Government Working Committee until his retirement in 1998. Zhang Jisheng said: "Old Xu has a great influence on me. I will bear in mind his words. For decades, I have done this whether I was in the army, transferred to another place, or retired."
Zhang Jisheng has two Son and one daughter. The eldest son Zhang Xinyong enlisted in the 58th Division of the Army after graduating from high school in 1980. He was admitted to the Military Medical School of the Wuhan Military Region the following year and served as captain of the division and army health training teams. He served in active service for 26 years and was a member of the regiment when he retired. Colonel-level officer.In 1988, Zhang Xinyong's unit participated in fighting a fire in a shopping mall in Yuanyang County, Xinxiang. He was awarded third-class individual merit for his outstanding performance. Zhang Xinyong said: "We are children who grew up in a military courtyard. It is our dream to be soldiers. We have been deeply influenced by our father since we were young. He is upright and upright. Our family is still very positive!" Zhang Xinyong said. Ji Sheng's daughter Zhang Li joined the army in 1989 and served as the operator squad leader of the switchboard of the communications company in Yantai Garrison District, Shandong Province. In 1991, she performed outstandingly at the National Militia Communications Training Observation Meeting and was awarded third-class individual merit.
Zhang Xinyong’s son Zhang Ming is the third generation soldier of Zhang Jisheng’s family. In 2012, 22-year-old Zhang Ming graduated from Shangqiu Normal University, responded to the country's call to enlist in the army, and went to a certain unit of the Army's 127th Division for training. Zhang Ming said: "Our 127th Division is a heroic unit with a long history, outstanding military exploits, and is known as the 'Iron Army'. I am proud to be a member of it, and at the same time I feel a heavy responsibility and a glorious mission."
Three generations of grandparents and grandchildren have joined the army in succession, and the military spirit has left a deep imprint on this family. For Zhang Ming, who grew up in the city, the three-month life of the recruit company was as unforgettable as "reborn". Zhang Ming said: "Various training subjects such as crawling, climbing, rolling, and beating not only exercise our body, but also a kind of mental tempering. At that time, I had a belief that if others can endure hardship, I can also endure it; others can endure hardship." If I persist, I will persist even more." Five years of military life have made Zhang Ming grow into an outstanding soldier who dares to fight. As the squad leader of the automation squad of the communications company, Zhang Ming led his comrades in the squad to successfully complete a number of important communication network support tasks in training exercises. He was awarded third-class personal merit twice and received many awards from division and regiment levels.
If one person joins the army, the whole family will be honored; if three generations join the army, the family will be honored. Zhang Jisheng's family has been serving in the military for generations. They use practical actions to interpret their firm belief in loyalty to the motherland and the people, and use dedication, perseverance and struggle to convey the mission and responsibility of soldiers to protect their homes and the country.
