Parade brings service members' dreams alive

Cao Guanyi, a civic affairs worker from Qitaihe, Heilongjiang province, said the Sept 3 parade will be her second time goose-stepping along Chang'an Avenue.

"I took part in the National Day parade in October 2019 when I was a military member serving with a communications brigade of the Air Force," said Cao, who serves as head of a group of militiawomen during the training period for the coming parade.

She noted that many of the militiawomen participating in parade training are ex-servicewomen.

"Although many of us are no longer military personnel, we are bound by a sense of responsibility and mission that has never changed. No matter how our roles change, we are committed to building and safeguarding our motherland," she said.

Inside the parade training compound, the living and training arrangements for militiawomen are identical to those of military personnel, according to Cao.

"Although we are civilians, we adhere to the high standards observed by soldiers. We are determined to display our full enthusiasm and fighting spirit as we march before the people and the nation," she added.