Lesson 1: Holiday Duty Diary
Late on the 29th day of the Lunar New Year, at border marker 270 on the Vietnam-Cambodia land border, officers and soldiers of the Tram outpost, under the command of the Vinh Te Ward Military Command, quietly carried out their duties amidst the vast expanse of rice fields and melaleuca forests. Pham Minh Ngoc, the outpost commander, has been stationed here since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. This is his first time celebrating Tet at the outpost, and he couldn't hide his sadness. As the youngest child, accustomed to the warm atmosphere of a large family during the spring festival, being on duty at the border during Tet made him feel disheartened.
Looking inside, seeing the bright lights and fireworks blooming in the sky, I missed home terribly. But I had been assigned a task by my superiors, so I had to complete it well at all costs. As time passed, that sadness gradually gave way to familiarity. I consider the outpost my home, and my comrades my family. During Tet (Lunar New Year), everyone takes turns preparing meals with plenty of sticky rice cakes, braised pork, pickled onions... After patrol duty, we all gather together, share stories about our families, and encourage each other to try our best to complete our tasks,” Ngoc shared.
Major Thai Gia Luat - Deputy Political Commissar of the Vinh Te Ward Military Command - extends New Year greetings to soldiers at the Tram outpost on New Year's Eve. Photo: GIA KHANH
Joining forces with Ngoc is Le Hong Phat. At the age of 19, while many of his friends were reuniting with their families, Phat chose to join the militia to contribute to maintaining peace on the border. This is Phat's first Tet (Lunar New Year) away from his family, focusing on guarding the border area. "Celebrating Tet at the outpost is very different from being at home, because it's quieter, with less talking and laughter, but I'm happy because I'm doing an important job for the locality. My biggest wish for the new year is for my parents to have good health," Phat expressed.
On New Year's Eve, a gentle spring breeze blew through the melaleuca forest. As the sound of fireworks echoed from the distant inland areas, Major Thai Gia Luat, Deputy Political Commissar of the Vinh Te Ward Military Command, personally visited the outpost to extend New Year greetings to the officers and soldiers, instructing them: "No matter the circumstances, you must be determined to maintain peace along the border so that the people can enjoy a safe and peaceful New Year." After the New Year's greetings, he thoughtfully presented the soldiers with bright red envelopes of money. Though not a large gift, it contained the commander's deep concern and encouragement for the soldiers on duty at the front lines. That moment eased their homesickness and gave them renewed motivation to enter the new year with even greater determination. Immediately after the handshakes and New Year's wishes, the patrol team continued their journey. Flashlights illuminated every path, and the sound of footsteps remained steady in the night mist.
As the key force responsible for managing and protecting the border, the duties of border guards extend year-round. Even amidst the sounds of fireworks echoing from the mainland during springtime, their shifts continue as usual. Behind each guard duty lies the peace of the villages and the trust placed in them by the people. Guarding the border is not just a duty, but also a solemn promise of honor – to hold firm to every inch of land, to uphold the people's trust, so that spring on the border remains peaceful and warm.
Having worked on the island for many years, accustomed to being far from home, this year Major Tran Nhu Y is celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) for the first time at his new unit, in his role as Party Secretary and Political Commissar of Tien Hai Border Guard Post (located on Tien Hai island commune). The arrangement to maintain the on-duty personnel follows a principle that is both reasonable and compassionate: officers and soldiers from the North and Central regions are allowed to go home for Tet earlier, while those closer to home can arrange to celebrate later.
On New Year's Eve, officers and soldiers gathered to listen to the President's New Year's greetings, enthusiastically playing games like "picking flowers for democracy," becoming like family to ease their homesickness. "At that moment, I was moved, remembering the lyrics of the song 'A lifetime, a forest of trees.' Each officer and soldier sacrificed some of their personal interests, wholeheartedly fulfilling their duty to protect the peace and security of our homeland's seas and islands. When wishing my comrades and fellow soldiers a Happy New Year, I thanked each person present at the unit and sent wishes for peace and safety to all the soldiers during this sacred moment," said Major Tran Nhu Y.
Further out on the southwestern sea route, the combat-ready patrol boats of the Permanent Militia Squadron (Provincial Military Command) quietly anchor, their bows pointing straight out to sea – the familiar posture of naval soldiers always on standby. The only difference from normal days is a few neatly tied flower pots on the deck, signaling the arrival of a new spring spreading across the ocean. Nguyen Tan Tai, Deputy Commander of the Permanent Militia Squadron, said: “During Tet, we carry out many tasks simultaneously: regular patrols, coordinating with Coast Guard Region 4 to control illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities; and being on duty in the far sea, including uninhabited islands.”
Out at sea, the soldiers understand that their silent sacrifices are an indispensable part of ensuring the mainland can celebrate the Lunar New Year fully. Having joined the squadron in June 2021, Tran Huu Ly has spent five years on long voyages. “The first time celebrating Tet at sea, seeing my comrades return home to reunite with their families, I felt sad, missing my wife and two young children terribly. But it was in those moments that camaraderie became a strong spiritual support. We cared for each other a lot, going fishing together to supplement our meals. The lack of family affection was compensated by the camaraderie,” Ly said.
Colonel Nguyen Thanh An, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Military Command, said that since the establishment of the Permanent Militia Naval Squadron, the Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command have paid special attention to ensuring full benefits and policies for officers and soldiers. Especially during the Lunar New Year, the Provincial Military Command proactively advised the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee to organize visits and encouragement for officers and soldiers performing duties at sea and on combat readiness duty at the port. In addition to the extra food allowance as prescribed by the Ministry of National Defense, each ship also received gifts from the province, Military Region 9, and the Provincial Military Command.
The spirit of readiness for combat was present in every area and at all times during the Tet holiday, especially on the front lines. Tet does not mean rest; instead, vigilance must be heightened, and readiness to handle any arising situation must be maintained. For example, on the afternoon of the fourth day of Tet, a forest fire broke out in the protected forest on Mount Tuong in Thanh Luong hamlet, Ba Chuc commune. The fire spread across approximately 2 hectares of forest, affecting bamboo gardens and natural forest trees. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Ngoc Hoa, Political Officer of Lac Quoi Border Guard Post, shared: “More than 40 officers and soldiers, including police, military, border guards, forest rangers, and members of the Forest Management Board, along with many local people, joined hands to extinguish the fire. From noon until that afternoon, we hardly left the scene. Fortunately, the fire was brought under control in time, causing no casualties.”
Tet (Lunar New Year) on islands and border outposts may lack family reunion meals and moments of togetherness under familiar roofs, but it is not lacking in camaraderie; it is not lacking in the care of the Party committee, commanders, and local authorities; and it is not lacking in the trust that the people place in the soldiers. The dedication of these soldiers has contributed to making the spring season on the border and islands even more complete. The people celebrate Tet in joy, togetherness, and peace.
(To be continued)
GIA KHANH
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/xuan-phen-giau-a477578.html
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