Early Tet on frontline islands

Update: 29-01-2024 | 15:50:33

Over the past weekend (from January 25 to 27), the Command of the 1st Naval Region organized a delegation to visit and extend Lunar New Year greetings to officers, soldiers, and residents on the outlying islands of Bach Long Vi and Cat Ba (Hai Phong City). This visit and Lunar New Year greetings have brought an early spring to the outlying islands in the 1st Naval Region.

The Ship 636 of Naval Fleet 137 (Naval Zone 1) brought the working delegation to dock at Bach Long Vi Island early in the morning of January 26. Bach Long Vi is the furthest island from the mainland in the Gulf of Tonkin. Despite a challenging voyage with rough waves and freezing weather, everyone in the delegation expressed their joy, emotions, and pride when having the honor to set foot on this precious island of our homeland.

Admiral Tran Xuan Van, the third-ranking officer of the Navy's 1st Region Command, presents Tet gifts and the national flag to fishermen on Bach Long Vi Island (Hai Phong city). Photo: Thanh Son.

The delegation visited and presented gifts to the islands this time led by Admiral Tran Xuan Van, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the 1st Naval Region. Accompanying the delegation were representatives from various agencies, local leaders, commanders of units under the 1st Naval Region Command, and journalists from both military and civilian press agencies. The delegation visited and extended New Year greetings to various units on the island, such as the Naval Staff Technical Surveillance Station, Ra Da 27 Station, 363rd Division, 490 Radar Station, 495th Station (151st Battalion, Navy Region 1), District Team, Bach Long Vi District Police, Island Defense Battalion, Bach Long Vi Border Guard Station, Zone 1 Coast Guard Station 1, and District Party Committee - People's Committee of Bach Long Vi District.

At the destinations, Admiral Tran Xuan Van and the delegates visited and extended New Year greetings to the officers, soldiers, and people. Admiral Van urged the units to heighten their vigilance, take care of and encourage the soldiers, especially those who are far from home for the first time, to be ready and proactive in understanding the situation and regularly reporting to the command in order to promptly devise solid plans to protect the sovereignty of the seas and islands and prevent any unexpected situations. Commanders of units need to carry out well the tasks of preparing for a joyful and thorough Lunar New Year celebration.

Admiral Tran Xuan Van stated that this is a regular activity every time Tet comes, spring arrives, in order to timely encourage officers, soldiers, and people to organize a warm, joyful, and safe Lunar New Year celebration; demonstrating the concern of the Party Committee, Command of the 1st Naval Region, and the mainland for the forces, ships, and people on the islands on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. Admiral Tran Xuan Van emphasized: "Every soldier must fulfill their duty, maintaining the tranquility of the island, that is the command of the heart."

Admiral Tran Xuan Van (far left) visited and presented gifts to officers and soldiers on the islands, while emphasizing: "Every soldier must fulfill their duty, maintaining the tranquility of the island, that is the command of the heart."

Vuong Quoc Anh, a soldier on duty on Bach Long Vi Island, said that he has been on the island carrying out his mission for 2 months. Despite being far away from his family during the Lunar New Year, he feels reassured by the encouragement from officers, fellow soldiers, and loved ones. "I want to send New Year wishes to the mainland, wishing everyone a joyful and warm Tet, filled with happiness with their families. I also wish my comrades who are on duty on other islands a warm Tet, surrounded by comrades, and successfully completing all assigned tasks," Quoc Anh said.

Sergeant Tran Quoc Khanh (490 Radar Station, Battalion 151) revealed that he has spent 2 years on duty on the remote island of the Motherland. This Tet holiday, when he returns to his family, he will greatly miss the beautiful memories with his comrades in the unit. "Every year, during the Tet and spring season, the unit often organizes traditional folk games to foster unity among everyone. Despite being on a distant island, the camaraderie among comrades is always warm. Because the island is our home, and the sea is our homeland."

Reported by Thanh Son – Translated by Vi Bao

Share

Early Tet on frontline islands

HIGHLIGHTS

MOST READ