We have been on the road, on the ship, and on the island, "said Zheng Bailin, a retired military officer and veteran military doctor at the Zhoushan Military Rest Service Management Center in Zhejiang Province, at a volunteer service symposium recently. This statement is true. After retirement, Zheng Bailin and a group of like-minded veteran military doctors formed a volunteer service team and traveled to over a hundred islands in Zhoushan City, providing free medical services to the people on the islands. They persisted for a full 17 years. On December 1st, the cold wind howled along the coast of Zhoushan, but this group of old military doctors were full of enthusiasm - they gathered early in the morning on time, bringing the commonly used drugs and medical equipment that had been counted the day before, and boarded the passenger ship heading to Sijiao Island. At the Guan'ao Village Committee on Sijiao Island, villagers who were informed in advance are waiting for them. As soon as we think of the eager gaze of the island residents, we have full motivation. ”Zheng Bailin sighed. Retired and reluctant to leave the military, 72 year old Zheng Bailin was born into a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Fujian Province. His grandfather and father are both traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. As a doctor, one must treat and save lives, show more care for patients, and treat them as family. "The teachings of his childhood parents are deeply imprinted in Zheng Bailin's mind. At the age of 20, Zheng Bailin enlisted and joined a certain naval unit. The platoon is stationed on a remote island in Zhoushan. He started as an oil soldier and later moved to the position of platoon medic. Through unremitting efforts, he gradually grew into an outstanding military doctor and was awarded the third class merit three times. In 2004, Zheng Bailin retired from his position as the director of the outpatient department of a certain naval unit stationed in Zhoushan. Taking off his beloved military uniform, he felt a little uncomfortable: "I really can't bear to leave the army, I can't bear to leave the island. I have served on the island for 31 years, and suddenly retired, feeling empty in my heart. I feel like I still have 'strength' and what else can I do." There are many islands in the Zhoushan area, with more than 100 inhabited by people, and there are many left behind elderly people living on the islands. When serving in the military, Zheng Bailin was very familiar with the difficulty of seeking medical treatment for elderly people left behind on the island: "The medical resources on the island are limited, and the elderly often face the dilemma of lacking medical care and medicine. It is inconvenient for them to seek medical treatment outside the island. Some elderly people have been dragging their illnesses for a long time, turning minor illnesses into serious ones." When working as a health worker in the grassroots unit, Zheng Bailin often provided free medical consultations for the island residents. Decades have passed in a blink of an eye, and Zheng Bailin, who regards Zhoushan as his "second hometown," also regards the island residents as his family. He wants to continue to contribute to solving the difficulty of medical treatment for island residents. In 2007, while chatting with retired military doctors Fang Yin'an and Shi Rongfa, Zheng Bailin shared his thoughts on volunteering for medical visits to the island. Fang Yin'an and Shi Rongfa both have over 30 years of experience serving on islands and have a deep affection for the people there. Zheng Bailin's words pierced their hearts with every sentence. We should provide some medical volunteer services to the elderly living on the island within our capabilities. ”The three veteran military doctors immediately decided to form a volunteer service team and "go to the island for voluntary patrols". With strong support from the Zhoushan Civil Affairs Bureau, Zhoushan Health Commission and other units, the volunteer service team led by Zheng Bailin and consisting of two other members was officially established in early 2008. Since then, they have traveled to remote islands of all sizes in Zhoushan City, providing free medical services and distributing various commonly used medicines to left behind elderly people and beneficiaries living on the islands. When the volunteer service team was first established, there were only 3 people, but now it has grown to 16 people. ”Zheng Bailin told reporters that they organize more than 10 free clinics every year, and each time the team members voluntarily sign up to participate. Over the past 17 years, the footprint of this volunteer service team has almost covered every inhabited island in Zhoushan. The sky on the island is like a child's face, changing at will. ”Zheng Bailin said that when they went to distant islands, they encountered strong winds and waves at sea, and the journey would take two to three hours. "Most people get seasick". Some small islands require two transfers by boat to reach. Sometimes they stay on the island for one night before they can return after the visit. Boarding and disembarking, team members not only have to carry their own luggage, but also carry medicine and medical equipment - "Along the way, not only the elderly, but even young men have to rest to recover. Nevertheless, they still smiled and said, 'Don't worry, when we moved things, it felt like we were back in our youth, almost forgetting that we were already elderly.' The thoughtful and attentive service established a deep friendship between the team members and the island residents. Later on, we all had 'fans'! "Zheng Bailin said with a smile. In Mazu Village on Qushan Island, where he often goes, it is often the villagers who have not yet arrived at the village entrance and receive notifications from the village committee who wait early at the free clinic. Seeing their figures, warmly greeting them from afar. When there are many people asking for medical advice, the team members may be too busy to even have a sip of water to drink. But when the masses found them, brought the news of "recovery" and expressed gratitude to them, the team members couldn't help but feel happy, "No matter how far the boat is or how long the clinic is, they don't feel tired anymore". Due to strong winds, it is common for team members to be stranded on the island for several days and nights. One year, Zheng Bailin led a team to Huaniao Island for a free clinic. The original plan was only half a day, but in order to provide free medical services to more people on the island, the team members voluntarily delayed the return time. Unexpectedly, when they were preparing to return, the passenger ship was suspended due to strong winds and waves at sea, and everyone was stranded on the island for three days. The people on Flower and Bird Island have brought us food one after another. Trapped on the island and without wasting time, we organized health lectures and provided medical consultation for the elderly. ”Zheng Bailin said. In this way, the team members overcame numerous difficulties and persisted in providing free medical consultations for the island residents, rain or shine. At the same time, they also received heavy praise from the masses: "You are truly an 'island mobile medical team' that cannot be blown away by a typhoon!" Moving forward, give more to society. In 2022, a member of the volunteer service team and an old military doctor named Shi Rongfa passed away due to illness. The team members all remember a saying made by this "good comrade in arms, good teammate" before his death: "Although our volunteer service team still faces various difficulties, we must overcome them and complete every patrol task well, because we are all old party members." "Yes, we are all old party members! ”During the interview, Zheng Bailin emphasized this point. He emotionally told the reporter, "We have been in the military for so many years, receiving training and education from the Party, and we also learned medical technology in the army. After retirement, we should give back to society more." Through communication with the team members, the reporter learned more touching stories. Once, the volunteer service team organized its members to go on a tour of the island. Team member Chen Kaihong's elderly father planted several acres of grapes during the rush to harvest period and urgently needed his help. Chen Kaihong spent money to hire people to help his father and participated in the clinic visit as scheduled. The people on the island need me, and I will try my best to overcome any difficulties that I can, "said Chen Kaihong. Another member of the volunteer service team, Fang Yin'an, was diagnosed with cancer when the team was first established and has been participating in medical visits with illness for many years. Nowadays, the medical conditions on remote islands have greatly improved, which makes Fang Yin'an quite happy. The 77 year old military doctor stated that he will continue to participate in patrols because "we use our professional expertise to serve remote island populations, which is to repay the kindness of organizational training and the nurturing of the people. This is the heartfelt words of Fang Yin'an, and also represents the common voice of the members of the volunteer service team. (New Society)