Stepping onto the railway when no one dared to stand
People in Duong Thai Nam village (Phu Thai commune, Hai Phong city) are used to the image of a thin man with sparkling gray hair who is present every day at the railway intersection with National Highway 5. At the age of over 70, Mr. Vu Van Dang is still there, like a "back wall" blocking all possible surprises from people crossing the street.
Before 2016, this level crossing was one of the three main crossings connecting more than 600 households to National Highway 5. No barriers, no signal system, no automatic warnings. The train only needs to honk slowly for the passersby to panic. The consecutive accidents made the whole village live in a state of chaos, each train trip was a heartbreaking time for everyone.
When the village announced the need for police officers, many people shook their heads and refused because they thought the job was both monotonous and risky. While everyone was hesitant, Mr. Dang only briefly said: "If no one does it, I will do it".
The salary at that time of only 500,000 VND/month was not enough to cover expenses, but for him, just someone to remind him could avoid heartbreaking accidents. Without a hut, he built a roof of a few branches. During the days of heavy rain, strong gusts of wind that shook the temporary roof, he still held on to the pillar, his eyes not leaving the railway.
He belongs to every train running hour of the day, remembering exactly which trips are often late, which trips are usually a few minutes late. The two evening trips at 7:20 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. made him most tired: the road was dark, the traffic light was mixed with the train lights, and there were many people traveling. He was always present early, because "Just a step slow is enough to make a difference".
Her partner is silent
In that long journey, the person standing next to him was none other than his wife - Ms. Nguyen Thi Thoan. On days when he was tired, she wore a thick coat and a hat to stand in place. Without assignment, without fishing, they quietly divide each shift. Keeping the road becomes a common living standard, as a natural duty that both of them consider important.
For more than 9 years, there have been days of sunshine like fire, and nights of wind, but the railway has never been without the shady figure of those two old people. Every time the train passed safely, Mrs. Thoan breathed a sigh of relief. Mr. Dang just laughed gently: "I stand there, people can walk with peace of mind".
Their perseverance has brought about clear changes. Since the grandparents were on duty, no railway accident has occurred at this intersection. What the whole community has been haunted by for many years has been resolved by the dedication and perseverance of the two simple people.
Ms. Do Thi Hao - Party Cell Secretary, Head of Duong Thai Nam Village shared: "For nearly a decade, this road has returned to peace. The biggest award belongs to Mr. Dang and his wife. Not everyone can sit next to the railway for 9 years, the sun and rain do not leave a single day".
Although over 70 years old, the couple still consider ship watch work as a responsibility to do, a way for them to keep the safety of the villagers. Simply, not ostentatious, they quietly contribute to maintaining peace for each train and each step through the railway. For the past 9 years, they have stood there - like a peaceful sign in the midst of the bustling people.
