"Mother's 20-Year Tribute: Handmade Shoe Pads for Soldiers Honor Fallen Son"

For two decades, a Chinese mother has crafted over 1,000 pairs of shoe pads for new army recruits. She does this to honor her son, a soldier who died a hero. Zhang Xinghui, known as "Shoe Pad Mum," began her mission after a tragedy in 2005. Her 19-year-old son, Gu Nu, died during a mountain patrol in Tibet. He was saving a teammate from a landslide. Gu had joined the frontier guards in 2003. He quickly rose to become a deputy squad leader. His death inspired his mother's lasting tribute. When Zhang learned that new soldiers often suffer from blisters, she decided to act. Using soft, comfortable materials, she hand-makes each shoe pad. She then sends them to training camps for new recruits. Her small gifts carry a profound message. They provide physical comfort and symbolize a mother's care for all soldiers. Zhang says the work helps keep her son's memory and spirit alive.