At an altitude of 5300 meters, a plateau stationed in the training ground, a touch of bright red fluttering high-
a flag-raising ceremony without a flagpole
The scene of the flag-raising ceremony.
Photo by Zhang Xiaofan
The new wind roars and the red flag is rolling.
When the five-star red flag was flying over the Karakoram Mountains, the repair company sergeant Zhou Longjiang couldn't help tearing his eyes.
This is an unusual flag-raising ceremony.
On the morning of October 1st, a certain regiment was stationed on a plateau at an altitude of 5,300 meters. The officers and soldiers used a crane to hoist the five-star red flag.
The flag-raiser is Zhou Longjiang, the crane operator.
A week ago, the Communist Youth League Party Committee decided to hold a collective flag-raising ceremony on National Day.
As soon as the news came out, it caused heated discussions among comrades, and "there is no flagpole in the field training ground" became the focus of heated discussions.
There are hundreds of miles around here, and when you look around, there are endless sandy soil except for the long and distant mountains.
However, raising the five-star red flag at the stationed place is the expectation of every officer and soldier.
"The harder the environment, the brighter red, the more a spiritual inspiration." said Zhou Yu, a staff member of the team's management unit. Many soldiers' faces were tanned and peeled, and blood marks were rubbed on their hands. No one shouted bitterly and tired.
In the harsh environment where there are no birds in the sky, no grass growing on the ground, wind and stones running away, and lack of oxygen to eat, the officers and soldiers have always inspired their family and country feelings.
On the birthday of the Republic, they want to express the simplest emotions in a way unique to the military.
It is not an easy task to hold a flag-raising ceremony at the training ground at an altitude of more than 5,300 meters.
To this end, the team convened representatives of officers and soldiers to discuss and study the flag-raising plan.
Combining with the actual situation of the troops, it was finally decided to hold a solemn ceremony by means of "crane raising the flag.
Zhou Longjiang was selected as the flag-raising bearer for this special flag-raising ceremony.
As the most skilled crane operator in the regiment, the 25-ton heavy crane is as dexterous as "threading a needle" in his control.
Over the past few months, he has made no mistakes in operating the crane during tasks such as camping, material handling, and engineering maintenance.
Facing this flag-raising mission, Zhou Longjiang was a little bit difficult.
He will use a crane to "raise" the national flag. This task is extremely solemn and there can be no mistakes.
Since the national flag can only be fixed on the sling, the resident is very windy and sandy, and the hook is easy to shake back and forth. Controlling the national flag to rise steadily "seems easy, but it is actually quite difficult."
In addition, referring to relevant regulations, the length of the flag pole is generally 32.6 meters.
This means that at the end of the national anthem, the five-star red flag needs to stop at a height of 32.6 meters.
This is even more difficult for crane operators who cannot accurately grasp the hoisting speed and boom height indication.
In order to perfectly present the standard process of raising the flag, Zhou Longjiang began to try again and again with the beat of the national anthem after measuring the position of the fixed boom.
If there is any error, do it again. Gradually, he mastered the rhythm of raising the flag.
In the early morning of October 1, with the rising sun, the vast land was cast with a soft tone.
In the center of the flat and open training ground, wooden box stands and cranes are used as poles. The officers and soldiers of the whole regiment line up neatly, looking solemnly at the five-star red flag.
With the sound of music, the flag bearer vigorously waved his arm away from the tail of the flag, a bright red and beautiful sky across the sky.
Sitting in the crane, Zhou Longjiang controlled the crane calmly.
The five-star red flag slowly rises as it is pulled by the hanging rope.
The majestic national anthem resounded across the mountains.
"Salute!" The officers and men were fully armed and lined up neatly. The regiment political commissar Gao Bin gave an order. All officers and men raised their hands in salute, stared at the national flag, and sang the national anthem.
At this moment, the red rose higher and higher, leaping among the vast Karakoram Mountains, reflecting the dark faces of the officers and soldiers.
"The place where I stand is China." At the snow-covered plateau at an altitude of 5,300 meters, this special flag-raising ceremony made every officer and soldier feel passionate.
"Defend the motherland, don't lose a single inch of land!" The sonorous oath echoed on the snowy field, echoed in the hearts of every officer and soldier.