Leif Rogers, an American living in Liaoning province, is among the legions of enthusiastic admirers of Lei Feng, one of China's most famous soldiers, renowned not for his battlefield exploits but his humanity.

Lei Feng (1940-62) became a New China icon in the 1960s for his charitable deeds and good Samaritan altruism, and his legend grew after his sudden death in an accident.

For decades, the young soldier was a role model for an entire generation.

Rogers first discovered the legend of Lei Feng on a hot summer night in 2005.

On his first visit to China, Rogers walked out of the Beijing Capital International Airport and hopped in a cab and the driver asked him his name.

"Leif," Rogers replied.

"Lei Feng! Your name is so close to Lei Feng," the driver replied.

Rogers didn't learn much about the model soldier during the ride because of the language barrier but the admiring expression on the driver's face when he referred to Lei Feng piqued his curiosity, which was already fired up by his journey to China.

Rogers' first job was teaching journalism at Liaoning University of Technology in Jinzhou. He discovered this was the same city where Lei Feng served in the army. Locals there continue to revere the soldier.

With the assistance of his colleagues and students, the American collected many stories and pictures of Lei Feng and his knowledge grew.

"Most of the military heroes I know are remembered for their performances in battles," he says. "While Lei Feng, the most distinguished soldier in China, was just a common private who drove a truck. That is why I was so attracted to him."

Customers to Roger's office are amazed at the special glass cabinet, where he has placed most of his precious collections of Lei Feng.

The display includes a white ceramic statue, which he treasures the most, calendars, cups, matchboxes and other souvenirs with political posters of Lei Feng.

Rogers has also added his own work to the collection by translating a book of Lei's quotes.

"A student at university gave me the Dairies of Lei Feng in 2006," he says.

"It is in Chinese and my Chinese was very limited. And I couldn't find an English version. There was very limited English information about Lei Feng so I thought I should do something on my part."

In 2007, he published a book Learn From Comrade Lei Feng, which he distributes to people wherever he goes.

"What I most appreciate in Lei Feng is his being so humble after doing good deeds," he says.

"That makes a comparison today as so much is about who you are and how much you are recognized."

Lei Feng's anecdotes also reminded Rogers of his late father, who once worked in Africa and Papua New Guinea for UNICEF. He traveled with his roaming parents and discovered the highest virtue in life was to serve his fellow men.

Rogers found this same selfless spirit in Lei Feng and himself volunteers to aid others, including visiting orphans and raising funds for a leukemia stricken girl.

He also looks for other ways to try a little kindness.

Two years ago, a local family came to Rogers' office for help. They had lost contact with their 19-year-old son, who was studying in Los Angeles.

"I stayed up all night on the phone talking to my friends in LA," he says. "We finally tracked the boy down three days later. He moved out of his apartment without telling his families.

"He lived in a Chinese restaurant and ended up being jailed in a detention center by mistake."

The boy, whose name Rogers declined to give, was soon released and is now the No 1 student in his class.

Rogers is also active in the local foreign community. He has compiled a city guide with useful tips such as how to find a plumber, where to have a haircut and how to convert money.

In 2007, he was awarded a Lei Feng Medal by Liaoning province.

But the American is concerned that the spirit of Lei Feng has started to wane among China's younger generation.

"That worries me and that is why I am making it a trend among youngsters that Lei Feng is cool and inspiring," he says.

"You can take everything from Lei Feng, but the bottom line is his giving spirit. Now and forever, people need this quality."

(China Daily 09/14/2010 page24)