The feelings of soldiers on offshore platforms.

Amidst the vast, turbulent seas, at the DK1 offshore platform standing tall in the South of the Fatherland, the cultural and spiritual lives of the officers and soldiers are nurtured daily through simple yet heartwarming activities. Singing, music, books opened after shifts; regular sports training sessions... become the "source of inspiration" that helps the soldiers on the platform stand firm on the front lines, successfully fulfilling their duty of guarding the sacred sovereignty of the sea and continental shelf.

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Singing in the middle of the ocean

Unlike the grand stage performances on the mainland, the cultural activities on the DK1 platform are characterized by simple, warm songs filled with love for their homeland. After training and combat readiness duties, during moments of relaxation, officers and soldiers gather together, playing guitars and singing to each other with all the love and camaraderie they can muster.

Major Dinh Xuan Phon, Political Officer of the DK1/14 platform, gently held his guitar, his fingers skillfully gliding over the strings, singing the song "Spring on DK" with his comrades: "No matter the waves, we soldiers on the platform are there. No matter how precarious, the soldiers on the platform are not afraid of storms. No matter the sun and wind, the soldiers on the platform swear not to fear hardship. No matter the rain and storms, the soldiers on the platform are still blooming like roses. In the middle of the vast ocean, we remain vibrant, in the middle of the sea and sky, we still live life with love. That's what the soldiers on the platform are like. A few pots of flowers and a patch of vegetables, we still overcome the longing for home..."

Major Dinh Xuan Phon, Political Officer of the DK1/14 offshore platform, sings and plays music with his comrades.

Major Dinh Xuan Phon shared that this guitar accompanied him from the mainland to the offshore platform, helping him and his comrades overcome moments of homesickness. Here, the moments spent singing together are a source of joy, creating a warm and close-knit atmosphere among the members on the platform.

Karaoke singing competitions are often organized so that each officer and soldier can showcase their favorite songs, especially revolutionary songs, songs about the sea, islands, and offshore platforms; sometimes, they can find solace and warmth with melodies about their homeland and family. Each lyric seems to touch the depths of their souls, helping soldiers overcome difficulties and further cherish their "common home" in the middle of the ocean.

"A friend" of sailors

Besides singing, a reading culture is regularly maintained on the DK1 platform. Books and newspapers sent from the mainland become close companions for officers and soldiers during their free time. The platform's law library, with a diverse range of books, is arranged in the common living space, neatly and systematically organized into compartments by genre.

Reading books and newspapers has become a source of intellectual nourishment during breaks after training sessions.

Captain Tran Duc Canh, a professional military officer and radar operator at the DK1/15 platform, shared: “Reading books and newspapers not only helps us stay updated on current events and improve our knowledge, but it's also a way to relax after each training session. Books and newspapers have become an indispensable source of intellectual nourishment for the officers and soldiers at the DK1 platform.”

Watching television, following domestic news, cultural and sports programs brings a sense of closeness to the mainland. Through the small screen, officers and soldiers on the offshore platforms can feel the vibrant life of their homeland, thereby strengthening their confidence and motivation to remain stationed at the forefront of the waves.

Stay healthy, stay strong.

Along with cultural and artistic activities, sports are an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the officers and soldiers at the DK1 offshore platform. Despite the limited space and harsh weather conditions, the soldiers still make the most of the space on the platforms to maintain daily physical exercise and sports training.

Morning exercise sessions on the platform, jogging around the platform's corridors, push-ups, pull-ups... have become a habit for the officers and soldiers. For them, physical training is not only about improving health but also about adapting to the unique environment and being ready to respond to any situation at sea.

Maintaining good health is of paramount importance for the officers and soldiers stationed at the DK1 offshore platform.

Mornings at the DK1 platform begin with familiar exercises: four morning exercises, sixteen martial arts movements, and thirty-five combined fist stances. As the sun rises above the sea, officers and soldiers gather on the work platform, performing each movement in unison. Their rhythmic shouts blend with the sound of the waves, marking the start of a new day.

In addition, sports activities are maintained flexibly, such as bodybuilding or table tennis – the most popular sport on the offshore platforms. Each match, however small, brings joy and laughter, helping to relieve stress after work. These moments help officers and soldiers bond, understand each other better, and build a strong team spirit.

Table tennis is a popular sport on offshore platforms.

In particular, during holidays and festivals, many activities are organized such as table tennis competitions, arm wrestling, ball throwing into a bucket, chess, and Chinese chess... with the aim of creating a joyful atmosphere, while also contributing to maintaining the health, morale, and combat readiness of the soldiers at DK1.

Amidst the vast sea and sky of our homeland, every song sung, every drop of sweat shed on the sports training floor carries with it faith, willpower, and love for the sacred sea and islands. It is from these simple things that the spiritual strength of the officers and soldiers of the DK1 platform is nurtured and spread, becoming a solid foundation for them to stand firm on the front lines, day and night guarding the sovereignty of the southern sea and continental shelf of our homeland.

Van Duong

Source: https://baocamau.vn/tam-tinh-linh-nha-gian-a125288.html