On the beautiful East Maozhou Island in the South China Sea, the "Veteran Woods" is the eye-catcher on the island. Since 2000, every to-be-demobilized soldier of the East Maozhou Island coastal defense company under the Sanya Garrison would plant a tree in the woods to express their affection to the island. On the trunk of each tree is carved the name of the planter and his mot to the successors. Pointing to a tall and straight coconut tree and a newly planted coconut sapling, Zhu Wei, a private whose service term would end his year, told the reporter, "this tree was planted by my former squad leader Dai Haijun and this one by me…"

　　As an old Chinese saying goes: while predecessors plant trees, successors will enjoy the cool under the shade. Nowadays, the "Veteran Woods" has more than 100 trees and they are all coconut ones bearing fruits in four seasons. In November it is still hot on the island and the soldiers are still dressed in summer uniforms. When they get tired in drilling, they can have a rest in the shade of the trees and drink some coconut juice, while talking about the stories of the veterans…

　　By Li Sanhong and Huang Qiwen

　　(December 5, PLA Daily)