(TN&MT) - Receiving gifts from the mainland, Lieutenant Phan Tien Tung, political officer of the DK1/10 platform, was deeply moved and said: "Even at the far horizon of our homeland, the officers and soldiers of the DK1/10 platform still experience the full flavor of spring just like on the mainland. Thank you to the Party, the State, the Army, the People, the Navy, and the Command of Region 2 for caring for the lives of the officers and soldiers on the platform. We promise to stand firm, guarding our maritime sovereignty so that the people of the whole country can celebrate Tet."
Moving Tet (Lunar New Year) onto the scaffolding
After a voyage of over 100 nautical miles from the DK1/12 (Tu Chinh 4) platform, on the morning of January 2, 2023, the Truong Sa 21 ship, led by Colonel Pham Quyet Tien, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 2, stopped at the Ca Mau Shoal ( Ca Mau province) and delivered Tet gifts from people nationwide to the officers and soldiers at the DK1/10 platform. This platform is considered to be on the horizon of the Fatherland because it is the furthest from the DK1 platform system, compared to the base of the Naval Region 2 Command.
In the days leading up to Tet, unlike the week before, the sea around Ca Mau was calm and tranquil. The waves lapped gently against the ship's hull. A soft sea breeze signaled the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit in the hearts of the young soldiers. With calm seas and favorable weather, Colonel Pham Quyet Tien decided: "Transport the gifts to the platform by boat; the delegation will go to the platform to celebrate Tet early with the officers and soldiers."
“All crew members lower the boats to transfer Tet gifts to the offshore platform!” – the stern command of the captain of the Truong Sa 21 ship was issued from the command bridge. The captain lowered the boats. Dozens of sailors of the Truong Sa 21 ship carried each box of gifts from the ship's hold to the deck, then transferred them to motorboats, and sped to the offshore platform. Journalists were given priority to go up first to cover the event.
We climbed onto the deck with the help of the young soldiers. Corporal Nguyen Minh Duc, with a bright smile, quickly said, "Greetings to the delegation wishing us a Happy New Year. We haven't been able to sleep for several nights. We've been anxiously waiting for your arrival." Meanwhile, Lieutenant Phan Tien Tung, the political officer, said, "We haven't been able to sleep for the past few nights. Our hearts are racing as we gaze towards the sea and the approaching ship. Spring has arrived for the officers and soldiers at the DK1/10 platform."
After moving the yellow apricot blossoms, kumquat trees, and Tet gifts onto the trellis, we gathered together in the club. Colonel Pham Quyet Tien, on behalf of the Party Committee of the 2nd Naval Region Command, said: “Having overcome the stormy days, today, the first Tet greeting delegation has come to visit, encourage, and deliver Tet gifts from the people of the whole country to you comrades. We wish you good health, peace of mind while staying at sea, and unwavering resolve to safeguard the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands in all situations. Enjoy the New Year without forgetting your duties.”
Photo: Tran Anh
Receiving the gifts, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the DK1/10 platform, Lieutenant Phan Tien Tung, visibly moved, said: “Even at the far reaches of the Fatherland, we officers and soldiers of the DK1/10 platform still experience the full flavor of spring just like on the mainland. Thank you to the Party, the State, the Army, the people of the whole country, and the Command of Region 2 for caring for the lives of the officers and soldiers of the platform. We promise to continue striving to excellently fulfill our duties and firmly protect the sovereignty of the southern sea, islands, and continental shelf of the Fatherland in all situations.”
A toast to the end of the year amidst the stormy seas.
After the gift-giving ceremony, we sat around a New Year's Eve dinner table amidst the hustle and bustle of the waves. Mats were spread out on the work platform. Regardless of whether we were reporters or soldiers, officers or professional troops, we all gathered together to enjoy the flavorful dishes of the salty sea. Besides the meat, chicken, and bamboo shoots brought from the mainland, the dishes that the delegation liked best were the crispy fried fish and the super-clean sprouts.
Colonel Pham Quyet Tien raised his small glass of wine and said emotionally, “This is our New Year's Eve dinner to bid farewell to the old year. I wish the officers and soldiers of the DK1/10 platform a peaceful and happy new spring and the successful completion of their mission. I wish the delegation many memorable experiences on this journey.” A resounding burst of firecrackers dispelled the overwhelming emotions in everyone's hearts.
Lieutenant Phan Tien Tung, the political officer of the offshore platform, said that the daily life of the officers and soldiers is quite simple. Their food mainly consists of seafood. Although not as abundant as on the mainland, the platform still has fresh vegetables for soup every day. The vegetables on the platform are mainly water spinach, jute mallow, and amaranth. "Having super-clean sprouts to eat in the middle of the ocean is like a miracle. Thanks to the attention of leaders at all levels, the lives of the officers and soldiers have improved significantly."
Of the 15 DK1 offshore platforms, DK1/10 is the only one that can make phone calls to the mainland via the Vinaphone network, sponsored by Ca Mau Telecommunications. The sea area around DK1/10 is quite peaceful. Every day we see fishing boats of fishermen catching seafood around here. Although far from the mainland, it feels close," Lieutenant Tung shared.
Before bidding farewell to the soldiers at the DK1/10 offshore platform to continue our journey to Con Dao to present gifts to the soldiers at Radar Station 590, we held hands and sang songs about the sea and islands. The soldiers' songs were filled with deep emotion. Soldier Tran Nhat Anh Tuan, with teary eyes, said: “I miss the mainland so much. But I also feel proud that this spring I am guarding the sea so that the mainland can celebrate Tet peacefully. This year I am 19 years old. My hometown is in the Mekong Delta.”
That's what it's like to be a soldier on an offshore platform.
We left the DK1/10 platform as the sun set. From the CQ boat, DK1/10 stood like a steel fortress, steadfast and unwavering amidst the vast ocean. Hiding her tears behind the camera lens, reporter Cù Thị Thuận pressed her lips together to prevent sobs, while reporter Nguyễn Thắng, with red eyes, looked up at the platform as if saying goodbye. He said emotionally, "I admire the soldiers on the platform. Spring has arrived for you; I wish you continued strength in protecting the sea. The mainland is always by your side."
Goodbye DK1/10. Goodbye to the young soldiers on the horizon of our homeland. Our ship continues its journey, bringing spring to Radar Station 590 in Con Dao.
The Trường Sa 21 sounded its long sirens, circled the DK1/10 platform three times, and then headed straight for Con Dao Island, braving the waves. We leaned over the ship's railing and waved goodbye. The soldiers on the platform waved the national flag in farewell. The lyrics of the song , "Storms and waves, we soldiers on the platform are there, precarious and unstable, but we soldiers on the platform fear no storm. In the middle of the ocean, we remain bright and cheerful, in the middle of the sea and sky, that's what soldiers on the platform are like. Overcoming the storms, protecting our homeland's sea and islands," blended with the spring breeze.
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