By Martin Sadongdong Officers and enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) based in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal contributed around P230 each, an amount equivalent to their two-day meal allowance, as the military conducted a relief operation for indigent communities -- their way of celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday (May 10). At least 897 soldiers generated P206,700 which they used to buy groceries for families near the vicinity of the military camp who were affected by the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to Maj. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of 2ID. Around 405 families from Barangay Sampaloc’s three poorest sitios received Mother’s Day gift packages which contained essential items, including four kilos of rice. Burgos lauded the soldiers for coming up with another noble undertaking to help the community around Camp Capinpin. "We made it a point to find time to honor the mothers whose unconditional love and sacrifices have kept all of us afloat during the most challenging of times, including this dark period of COVID-19 contagion," Burgos said. "Their selflessness and devotion to their families are virtues that inspire our soldiers to rise above the situation during these trying moments." Salute to 'uniformed moms' Meanwhile, the Army's 301st Infantry Brigade (301 IBgde) paid tribute to all the mothers, including those in the military service who play a dual role "as loving moms at home and fierce warriors on the field." Col. Marion Sison, commander of 301 IBgde, acknowledged the sacrifice of mom-soldiers who have to endure being away from their families to serve the country and the Filipinos, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Being far from their children is not easy, they miss out on a lot of special occasions and milestones -- some, their children’s first step, first word; others cannot even come home to tend to their children when they are sick, all because they are securing the homes and communities of others, of fellow Filipinos," he said. "Let us thank our mothers for giving us life, and for letting us see the beauty of this world. I am sending my snappy salute to all mothers out there, who never fail to love and nurture their children."