When the 7.0-magnitude quake happened, Zhang Shangnian, a pilot from an aviation brigade of Chengdu Military Region, was about to hold his wedding. After learning the earthquake, he and his wife decided to postpone the wedding and Zhang returned to the troop immediately to participate in the quake relief.

Zhang's first mission was to fly the helicopter to send soldiers to the quake area. During a short break, he called his wife to say sorry. Li Juan, his wife told him, "Soldiers should go to the front when disasters happen! A man who loves his country and people deserves better love from his family."