-Sister Soldier- Li Xiaoli- -You will always stand up for me whenever you need me.-

In an interview, we spoke with Li Xiaoli, the head of the Veterans Service Station in Shuidao Street, Qinzhou City, Guangxi. A retired soldier herself, Li has dedicated her efforts to ensuring that fellow veterans receive the support they need.

“His application for a military veteran benefits card has been approved, and the card is currently being processed,” she said with a sense of achievement, referring to her long-time efforts in helping a veteran named Guo. Over the past five years, Li has meticulously gathered the necessary documentation for Guo, who had not registered his information.

Li first became aware of Guo’s situation in 2019 and attempted to reach out to him directly. However, due to Guo’s intermittent mental health challenges, he was reluctant to engage and often expelled visitors. “It was quite challenging to make progress,” she recounted.

Determined to assist him, Li made numerous visits, especially during holidays, and reached out to him frequently. It wasn’t until recently, with the help of Guo’s sister, that they managed to produce a photograph suitable for the application.

“Given his unique circumstances, we provided some leeway with the photo submission when applying,” she explained, reflecting on the strain of her five-year journey with this case.

Li Xiaoli enlisted in the military in December 1997 and served until her discharge in December 2000. She identifies herself as a member of the Communist Party. After the Veterans Service Station was established in 2019, she joined the team and has since considered veterans and their families like her own kin. She strives to provide them with support such as employment assistance and care visits.

Leveraging her understanding of military culture, Li meticulously designed each aspect of the service station to create an environment where veterans feel the deep care of their country and a strong sense of belonging. Through her relentless efforts, the station achieved national demonstration status in 2021.

To better serve veterans in her area, Li proactively coordinated with street and community officials, integrating their work with a network of dedicated volunteers. She keeps a close watch on the 833 veterans and other beneficiaries in her district, always aware of those facing hardships. Guo’s situation is just one of many that showcase her commitment.

She also deeply cares for other veterans, like Liu Sisheng, who is ill in bed, and Su Baohui, who has become disabled due to a stroke.

When she learned that retired veteran Liu was hospitalized, Li didn’t let budget constraints stop her from visiting. She personally financed a fruit basket and provided慰问金 (consolation money) for Liu. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve done this,” she admitted.

“We can’t forget those veterans who defended our nation with their lives,” Li stated passionately, emphasizing her commitment to honoring their sacrifices.

In September 2020, she welcomed the family of martyr Wu Yanhai to the station. They shared heartbreaking news about her father, a flood-fighting martyr, who had not been laid to rest for nearly 30 years since his passing in July 1991.

“How can we allow our heroes to be forgotten and unburied?” she asserted. Despite the complexities involved in the case, including changes in administrative regions over the decades, Li tackled the challenges head-on. After two years of diligent investigation and verification, on November 2, 2023, the martyr Wu Meisheng was finally honored with a burial in the Guangxi Martyrs’ Cemetery.

With over twenty years dedicated to grassroots work, Li Xiaoli embodies the spirit of “serving the people.” From her early days in community work feeling lost, she has transformed into the reliable “sister soldier.” Her outstanding performance was recognized when she was named one of the top 100 outstanding directors at the national level for veteran service centers in 2021.

“This is my battlefield now; I stand ready to help whenever my community needs me,” Li concluded, underscoring her unwavering dedication.