Preserve the sea so that the mainland can enjoy complete happiness.
In late April, Truong Sa enters its hottest days. The sea surface is calm like a mirror, but on the islands, the heat radiates from the dazzling white coral, stifling like a "frying pan." Even the sea breeze is not enough to alleviate the heat.
Yet, on the training ground and in the battlefield, the soldiers continued to train diligently, each movement decisive and rhythmic, as if the scorching sun didn't exist.
On Co Lin Island – a place that witnessed a fierce battle to defend the island more than three decades ago – the atmosphere of readiness for combat is always tense. From the sea-facing watchtowers to the firing positions, shifts follow one another without rest. Every plan is reviewed and practiced repeatedly, with a simple but strict principle: detect as early as possible, handle as quickly as possible, and avoid being caught off guard.
Captain Nguyen Xuan Hoang, the island's political officer , said during his shift: "During holidays, there's more boat traffic, and therefore, unusual signs are more unpredictable. We've determined that we must be even more vigilant. We're on duty 24/7, our eyes never leaving the sea. Only when the sea is calm can the mainland truly rejoice," he said, his voice low but firm.
Not far away, Truong Sa Lon Island has its own unique rhythm. There are still delegations from the mainland visiting, and the red flag still blazes in the sun, but behind that bustling atmosphere lies a relentless cycle of discipline. On the air defense positions, in the watchtowers, and in the maritime observation areas, every position is brightly lit, with sufficient personnel and punctuality.
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Huy Phung, the island's political officer, succinctly stated: "We don't have the concept of 'holidays' in the conventional sense. Being on duty 24/7 is an order. Keeping the seas peaceful is our way of contributing to truly peaceful days on the mainland."
Amidst the scorching sun and seemingly endless shifts, these young soldiers stand firm at the forefront. They understand that behind them lies a nation observing a holiday, and that joy is earned through their silent dedication.
These "steel fortresses" never sleep.
In late April, on the southern continental shelf, the sun blazed down on the steel structures amidst the vast ocean. The waves weren't particularly large, but the heat radiating from the sea and the platform decks made the space feel stifling. On these "steel fortresses," the lives of the young soldiers quietly flowed along with each shift and each wave.
At Phuc Nguyen 2, soldier Ho Manh Tan, 21 years old, has become accustomed to the scorching sun and the nights when the wind howls through the steel railings. After more than a year on the platform, Tan is no longer surprised by the unique rhythm of life here: 24/7 duty, hurried meals, quick naps, and always being ready.
“I man the 12.7mm artillery position on the rooftop. It’s scorching hot during the day and windy at night, but I’m used to it. I observe both the air and the sea, and if anything happens, I react immediately; I can’t delay,” Tan said, his voice simple and unassuming.
During their rare moments of free time, Tan and his teammates would sit leaning against the railing, gazing out at the sea. The waves were steady, the sky blue, but behind that peaceful facade lay a responsibility that brooked no complacency. “Here, we often say to each other: as long as there are people, there is the offshore platform. As long as we stand here, our sovereignty will remain intact,” Tan said with a sun-tanned smile.
Further away is DK1/10 – often described as “the edge of the nation’s horizon.” International ships constantly pass by, their lights flashing incessantly at night. There, shifts are even longer, and the level of concentration required is even higher.
Not only during the day, but also at night, the soldiers on the offshore platform take turns guarding, their eyes watching every small movement on the sea surface. On some nights, strong winds blow, waves crash against the pillars, and the entire platform shakes. But in the yellow light emanating from the guard room, the figures remain silently at their positions.
Captain Tran Van Luc, the political officer of the offshore platform, said slowly: "Here, the men are used to hardship. The most important thing is not to be caught off guard. Early detection and remote response are crucial. As long as we stand firm, the mainland will be peaceful."
In the middle of the ocean, these "steel fortresses" still stand there, silently. And on those steel structures, young soldiers still hold their ground day and night, guarding the sea in a very simple way: as long as there are people, there will be the offshore platforms.
The joy of a soldier at sea.
For soldiers on the front lines, "holiday" is a very different concept. It's not about long trips or family reunions; their joy is much simpler: seeing the calm sea and sky, and knowing that the mainland is peaceful.
Thirty-eight years have passed since the first DK1 offshore platforms were erected in the middle of the ocean, and generations of officers and soldiers have built a lasting tradition: "Resilience, courage - overcoming all difficulties - unity, discipline - upholding sovereignty" .
That tradition is not just written down, but is present in every shift, every gaze fixed on the sea, every step taken amidst the storms. It is also a value forged over time, contributing to the milestone of the DK1 offshore platform force being twice awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Duc, Political Officer of the DK1 Battalion, spoke slowly, as if summarizing his years of dedication to the sea: "Each offshore platform is not just a steel structure, but a place where we entrust our will and faith. As long as the sea remains calm, that is our greatest joy."
In April in Truong Sa or on the DK1 offshore platforms, the sun is still scorching, the wind still howls day and night, and shifts follow one another without a break. There are hurried meals, and sleep is fitful, tossed about by the rhythm of the waves, but no one talks much about the hardships. Because for them, what matters more is what lies behind them – the mainland where lights are shining and laughter rings out during the holidays.
And to achieve those peaceful days, there are always those who silently and tirelessly work. For the officers and soldiers of Truong Sa and DK1, protecting the sea is not just a duty, but also a way of life, a belief, and a continuation of a tradition that has been written over many decades amidst the vast ocean.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/chinh-polit/truong-sa-dk1-canh-thuc-de-dat-lien-binh-yen-ngay-le-223515.html
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