Happy Spring and Tet at DK1 Platforms

Officers and soldiers of DK1 Battalion, Naval Region 2 transfer Tet gifts to ships for officers and soldiers of DK1 Platform.

This year, the Tet gifts sent to the DK1 Platform were carefully and meticulously prepared by the officers and soldiers of the DK1 Battalion, Naval Region 2 before the ship left the port. This year's Tet gifts include many different types such as: Tea, jam, sticky rice, dong leaves, green beans, noodles, vermicelli, gourds, squash, onions, garlic, candy, toothpaste, shampoo... In particular, kumquat trees with a strong Tet atmosphere were also brought to the deck by the soldiers to be delivered to the officers and soldiers of the DK1 Platform. All were carefully packaged and transferred to the two ships Truong Sa 04 and Truong Sa 16 of Brigade 125, Naval Region 2 to be transferred to the platform. Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Van Nghi, Deputy Political Commissar of the DK1 Battalion, said: The Battalion used sacks, cardboard boxes, and plastic bags to carefully wrap the goods and gifts; At the same time, the unit organized forces to coordinate officers and soldiers on the two ships Truong Sa 04 and Truong Sa 16 to load and unload goods to ensure neatness and safety; inspection and testing were carried out strictly and in accordance with the direction of the Region. On each ship trip, the unit sent people to join the working group to support the delivery of gifts to avoid confusion or omissions in the regime of the soldiers. The journey of the two ships Truong Sa 04 and Truong Sa 16 blew their horns to leave the port and set sail, carrying Tet gifts and the affection of the mainland to the officers and soldiers at the head of the waves and winds; after nearly two days and nights of overcoming rough waves, the DK1 Platforms on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland gradually appeared before our eyes. Due to the rough seas above level 6, for more than half of the journey, Truong Sa 04 only transferred gifts to the platform by tow rope and the representative of the working group wished the soldiers a Happy New Year via radio. With many years of experience operating at sea, officers and soldiers on the Truong Sa 04 ship commanded the ship to approach the platforms. When the ship was in a favorable position, the coordination between the ship and the platforms was carried out to quickly transfer gifts to the platforms. Talking about the experience of bringing working delegations to visit and work at the DK1 Platform, Major Tran Van Hai, Captain of the Truong Sa 04 ship shared: In order for the ship to approach the platform safely, in addition to good coordination between the departments on the ship, the ship commander also had to quickly handle the situation of tying ropes to secure the ship, choosing the water current to keep the ship from shaking, drifting and hitting the platform; at the same time, constantly observing to command the forces to seize the opportunity to quickly transfer goods to the platform. After each gift transfer, Colonel Tran Hong Hai, Deputy Political Commissar of Region 2, was present at the ship's command room to wish a happy new year via walkie-talkie. “Every year when Tet comes, the New Year greetings delegation of the Naval Region 2 Command visits and delivers gifts to the officers and soldiers of the unit. Due to the high winds and waves, the delegation could not go to the platform, so they had to wish a Happy New Year via walkie-talkie,” said Colonel Hong Hai. In the middle of the vast ocean with fierce waves, Colonel Tran Hong Hai’s voice was lost in emotion: “Comrades, please promote your bravery and dedication to the Fatherland to successfully complete your tasks. I wish you a happy new year and do not forget your duties, firmly protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland of Vietnam…”. In response to the New Year greetings of the Head of the working delegation, the commanders of the platforms all promised to be determined to celebrate the New Year, ensuring absolute safety and high combat readiness, firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands. Due to rough seas, big waves and strong winds, Truong Sa 04 ship could only deliver Tet gifts to four platforms: 1/15, 1/11, 1/14 and 1/12 by tow rope; only when arriving at Platform DK1/10, the working group was able to board amid the joy of both guests and hosts. The working group listened to the platforms report on the results of their tasks during the year and especially the work that had been and was being done to prepare for the upcoming Spring Festival. Receiving gifts from the mainland, officers and soldiers of Platform DK1/10 quickly deployed into departments to decorate for Tet according to their homeland's customs. Everyone smiled brightly and busied themselves with their work to complete the early Tet celebration with the working group. While working, I chatted with Corporal Nguyen Tan Giau, a soldier at Platform DK1/10. Giau confided: This is the first time I celebrate Tet away from my family. Just getting off the ship and coming here, I felt empty and missed my father, mother and family. But being able to celebrate the New Year with my comrades here, I felt honored and very responsible! My parents also called to encourage me and said they were very proud of me. I promised myself that I would strive to complete all tasks well so as not to disappoint my parents and family, worthy of the tradition of the heroic DK1 unit. The atmosphere of welcoming Tet was more exciting early when activities of wrapping Chung cakes and cultural exchanges were organized between the working group and officers and soldiers on the platforms. The officers and soldiers had the opportunity to show off their "housekeeping" talents. Professional military major Bui Van Tho, a medical staff of the DK1/10 Platform, wrapped Chung cakes and shared: Every year I participate in wrapping Chung cakes, both at home and at the unit. But perhaps wrapping cakes on the platform left me with the most emotions. In the lack of material things is the warmth of comradeship and comradeship. Each person has a different hometown but is like a family, loving and sharing to celebrate Tet and enjoy Spring to the fullest. This will be a huge motivation and the most meaningful gift for us on the occasion of the New Year. We promise to have a safe spring, be ready to fight to excellently complete the task of being on duty on Tet at the sea and islands at the outpost. Saying goodbye to DK1/10 Platform, Truong Sa 04 ship and the working group completed the task of delivering Tet gifts to the five platforms as planned and made the journey back to the mainland carrying heavy feelings and countless memories of each member of the working group. We believe in the bravery, fighting spirit and optimism, love of life of the officers and soldiers of DK1 Platform. A new spring with many new victories will come to the sea and islands of our homeland and each DK1 Platform will be a solid steel fortress to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.