Soldiers gear up for parade
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E-mail CRI, August 24, 2015
Chinese soldiers are gearing up for the military parade in Beijing, which is set to take place in less than 2-weeks.
![A large-scale rehearsal for the Sept. 3 V-Day parade is held in Beijing Sunday morning in Tian’anmen Square and along the Chang'an Avenue. [Photo: weibo.com]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20150824/7427ea210acc1744b2410a.jpg "A large-scale rehearsal for the Sept. 3 V-Day parade is held in Beijing Sunday morning in Tian’anmen Square and along the Chang'an Avenue. [Photo: weibo.com]") |
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A large-scale rehearsal for the Sept. 3 V-Day parade is held in Beijing Sunday morning in Tian’anmen Square and along the Chang'an Avenue. [Photo: weibo.com] |
70 flags representing Chinese military units which fought in the war are going to be on display during September 3rd's parade.
The flag bearers have been practicing for more than 8-hours a day in the lead-up to the event.
As each flagpole weighs about 5-kilograms, Yang Lei, commander of the flag bearers battalion, says keeping hydrated is key.
"Each water bottle our flag-bearers have can hold around 2 liters, which means the soldiers don't have to stop to get water. The soldiers do have to change their uniforms at least three times a day because of sweat. Their bodies lose a lot of water each day."
The training for the parade began in early June.
More than 10-thousand soldiers are being trained at several bases around Beijing.
For many of them, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Liu Zhaowei is one of those chosen to take part in the parade.
He says he almost didn't make the cut.
"I can't tell you how excited I was when I made it on to the list after being placed on the reserve list. It was then that I realized how valuable this opportunity is."
Soldiers selected from PLA units that fought during the war are going to be represented in the parade.
The "Liulaozhuang Company" from New Fourth Army is one of them.
Almost all of the company was killed in a battle against Japanese forces in 1943.
Chen Hai, who serves in the company now, says their valiant actions are still remembered and cherished even today.
"At that time, all 82 warriors sacrificed themselves for the country. They passed down to us a spirit, which is also the spirit of our company. That is 'endless lives, endless battles'."
Military delegations from more than ten countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia will pass by Tian'anmen on September 3rd.
Two teams of war veterans will also take part in the parade.
One of them is 102-years old.
