When freelance writer Chen Ching-chi (陳清枝) found out he was to be stationed in Matsu (馬祖) for his mandatory military service 33 years ago, he thought that his life was over.
Back then, no one wanted to do their military service in either Kinmen or Matsu for fear of never making it back to Taiwan.
He still remembers the day he was scheduled to report to his base on Nangan (南竿), one of Matsu’s largest islands.
“Before we left, all of us were sent to Keelung Port and waited there for three days for the ship to Matsu to arrive,” he said. “It took us 27 hours to get there [Nangan]. Everyone on the ship was sick and dizzy.”
RESTRICTED
During that time, Matsu was a still restricted military zone. Chen said China would launch shells at the island from time to time and this reminded them that the enemy was not far away.
Knowing he had a hard time in Matsu, Chen said his mother tried to send him a box of pineapple moon cakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. The box, however, arrived a month after the festival and all the cakes had crumbled to pieces.
MEMORIES
Despite such rough times, Chen said he now misses the days he spent in Mastu and sometimes brings people to visit tourist attractions on the island. Yesterday, he joined eight other men who also did military service in Matsu and encouraged more of their comrades in arms to return and visit.
The Lienchiang County Government said more than 300,000 people have served in the military on Matsu over the past few decades.
To accommodate returning visitors, the county has worked with 12 of the nation’s travel agencies and jointly organized a three-day package tour. The county will give the first 150 people to sign up for the tour a NT$500 coupon to spend while traveling in Matsu. Each person can also bring three companions who will each receive a NT$250 coupon.
Those who completed military service in Matsu and find eight companions to travel with them will receive free travel and accommodation.
For details, visit the Web site at www.m-kaliu.com.tw.
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