At Central South University, there is an honorable veteran soldier—Gong Zhilong, a master’s student at the School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, who has integrated military responsibility into his character and interpreted profound human compassion with his blood. On June 13, he successfully donated hematopoietic stem cells, bringing the dawn of rebirth to a child under three years old and composing a moving hymn to life.
Military Service Tempers Character, Uniform Writes Responsibility
Gong Zhilong’s life journey is marked everywhere by progress and responsibility. “Since childhood, I have been influenced by red-themed TV dramas and military films, aspiring to stand guard for the motherland and protect national security. This is a sacred duty,” Gong Zhilong said with firm eyes and resolute words when discussing his original intention to enlist. From September 2018 to September 2020, he served in a unit of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Ground Force. During his two years of service, Gong Zhilong participated in numerous missions and received awards such as Outstanding Conscript and Brigade Commendation. One cross-regional live-fire exercise left a deep impression on him. “For that exercise, we transported all our equipment and vehicles by train to minimize disruption to railway operations. It took a full six days and five nights to travel from Anhui to the desert in Xinjiang. The train ride was relatively relaxed, with no training required, but sleeping space was limited, with only about 1.5 hard seats per person. Upon arriving in the desert, we had just set up our tents when a seemingly mild but sand-laden wind suddenly hit. The unsecured tents nearly blew away, and in the end, eight or nine of us had to use our bodies to weigh them down. It was my first time there, and the novel environment was eye-opening—I saw saxaul trees for the first time, small lizards the same color as the desert, and the endless expanse of barren land. The days were scorching hot, and after the sun set around 10 p.m., strong winds would pick up. Over the more than a month we were there, our unit successfully completed various training and live-fire exercise tasks.”
This unique experience brought Gong Zhilong significant gains. “Joining the army allowed me to accomplish many firsts in life—firing various weapons with live ammunition, camping outdoors, participating in multiple military drills. There were hardships that required gritting my teeth to endure, but also joys found amidst the difficulties. These experiences enriched my life and enabled me to face any adversity with greater composure in the future.”
Military life also significantly enhanced Gong Zhilong’s execution capabilities and stress resistance. “In the military, all tasks and superior orders must be executed unconditionally. Even if there are doubts or differing opinions, the task must be completed first before discussion. This greatly improved my execution ability. At the same time, continuously breaking records in military training and surpassing oneself in physical exercise became the norm, turning pressure into motivation, which naturally strengthened my stress resistance.”
Pursuing Dreams Diligently on Campus, Writing Brilliant Chapters Through Struggle
After returning to school as a veteran, Gong Zhilong extended the military spirit into all aspects of campus life, actively engaging in student work and academic development. From September 2020 to June 2021, he served as a student assistant at the Armed Forces Department of Central South University, deeply involved in the university’s recruitment, veteran affairs, and military training work. Concurrently, from September 2020 to June 2023, he became a military training instructor and squad leader in the instructor self-training camp. He not only excellently completed the military training work for his assigned company but also shouldered the responsibility for the daily training of instructors in his class. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Advanced Military Training Instructor, winning unanimous praise from teachers and students.
Gong Zhilong also served as the class monitor for Class 1906 of Transportation Engineering at the School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering and as an assistant to the college counselor. He attentively listened to classmates’ needs, meticulously organized various class activities, and assisted the counselor in efficiently handling daily tasks.
Academically, Gong Zhilong has also achieved remarkable success. He performed excellently during his undergraduate studies, successfully gaining admission to pursue a master’s degree at the same university through recommendation. He has received numerous honors and scholarships, including Hunan Provincial Outstanding Graduate, Central South University Outstanding Graduate, National Encouragement Scholarship, Ganglian Logistics Scholarship, and Outstanding League Member. With these many honors, he has become a well-deserved role model among his peers through practical actions.
Blood Interprets Great Love, Righteous Act Lights Up Life
In 2020, after returning as a veteran, Gong Zhilong fulfilled a long-held wish: donating blood for the first time and joining the China Marrow Donor Program, thereby making up for the ‘18th birthday coming-of-age ceremony’ he had been unable to complete as planned. “Since childhood, I have felt that voluntary blood donation and charitable acts are very honorable things.” This enthusiasm for public welfare received a response this April. When he received the call about a successful match, Gong Zhilong did not hesitate at all. “I agreed without much thought at the time; my only concern was whether my nearsightedness would affect the donation.” The decisiveness and kindness of a soldier were fully displayed in this moment.
When discussing the entire donation process, Gong Zhilong stated that the procedure for donating hematopoietic stem cells is rigorous and complex, requiring preparatory steps such as registration and matching, high-resolution confirmation, physical examination, and injection of mobilizing agents. Among these, the four-day course of cell mobilizing agents caused adverse reactions like fever and difficulty sleeping. However, relying on the strong willpower and robust physique honed during his two years of military life, he successfully overcame these challenges and completed the donation. The 152 milliliters of hematopoietic stem cell suspension successfully collected from this young veteran will soon bring hope for life to a child under three years old.
By the hospital bed, Gong Zhilong’s eyes moistened upon receiving a thank-you letter from the recipient’s family, which had been passed through several hands. The letter stated earnestly: “You have not only saved a child’s life but also rescued our entire family on the brink of collapse… We will tell him and teach him to be a kind, brave, and helpful person like you, passing on this great love.” After reading the letter, Gong Zhilong said emotionally, “The young patient’s life has just begun. I hope he can recover soon and enjoy lasting health.” This sincere blessing is filled with respect and care for life.
A veteran does not fade in spirit; hot blood forges great love. Gong Zhilong has interpreted the essence of dedication and bravery inherent to a soldier through practical actions, demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of youth in the new era. His deeds not only set an example for students at Central South University but also convey warmth and positive energy to society, allowing us to see the power of profound human compassion. May this spirit of selfless dedication, like scattered sparks, be passed on unextinguished, gathering into a brilliant galaxy that illuminates the times.
First Review: Wang Liu Second Review: Jiajun Fan / Shangjun Wang Third Review: Yuan Li
