Tet away from home for island soldiers

Without relatives or friends, without brilliant fireworks on New Year's Eve..., Tet for island soldiers is always very special. Because of their mission, they are willing to put aside their personal feelings and be steadfast in their guns to protect national sea and islands. For them, celebrating Tet on the island is both an honor and a sacred mission of a soldier...

“Ship is home, sea is homeland”

We and provincial delegation were present in the Naval Region 4 in the last days of the year. The atmosphere preparing for the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival 2024 here is bustling. Enjoying spring without forgetting the mission, units are busy with preparing for combat readiness. Subordinate agencies and units have seriously implemented plans and orders on combat readiness; set up plans and situations close to reality, avoiding passive cases, contributing to keeping peace for the Fatherland.

Binh Duong province’s delegation visit, encourage and offer Tet gifts to the local soldiers on duty in the Naval Region 4

Tet is also the time when everyone wants to gather with their families and reunite after a year of studying and working. However, in the Navy Region 4, there are still young soldiers who are on duty day and night, being ready to fight during the Tet holiday. Currently, the Navy Region 4 has more than 200 soldiers from Binh Duong on duty. This is also the first year they have celebrated Tet at the unit. Amid the vast ocean and islands, there is intense homesickness, but for them, it is a warm Tet with comradeship that they cannot forget for the rest of their lives.

Present at the ship No.016 - Quang Trung of Brigade 162 under the Naval Region 4, we noted a very urgent atmosphere. This is Vietnam's largest and most modern warship. And with its modern combat surface ship formation, Brigade 162 is known as the "Steel Brigade" of the Navy. The sound of command bells and ocean waves was mixed with clear command commands. The quick, well-coordinated and precise actions of officers and soldiers constituted "steel", affirming the combat power, qualifications and ability of combat readiness to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands. They have contributed to creating a peaceful and joyful spring for people in all regions of the country.

On the ship, there were 14 soldiers from Binh Duong. Although they have only been on duty for 2 months, these soldiers clearly define their honor and responsibility before the Party, State, army and people. They consider  "The ship is home, the sea is homeland", steadfastly overcoming all difficulties, getting ready for combat, sacrificing to protect the sovereignty of national sea and islands.

With bright and idealistic eyes, soldier Bui Thai Ngoc from Thu Dau Mot city’s Tan An ward said that after graduating from Thu Dau Mot University, he joined the army and is currently in the process of learning how to repair and operate machines. “This year, I will celebrate Tet on the ship. This will be a beautiful memory of youth. I hope my family at home can rest assured because we have comrades here...".

Although this Tet cannot be reunited with his family, soldier Vong Phuoc Hau from Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Cuong ward is very excited. He said: "In the middle of the island, Tet will not be bustling, but I think this will be an unforgettable Tet. That will be a beautiful memory".

Tet gifts from rear, warming island soldiers ‘hearts

At the Brigade 101 under the Naval Region 4, the Tet atmosphere is approaching. Along with combat readiness tasks, soldiers are also busy with activities to celebrate Tet. Here, there are currently 40 soldiers from Binh Duong province on duty.

The soldiers are from Binh Duong are on duty on the ship 016 - Quang Trung

Soldier Nguyen Tien Dat from Bau Bang district’s Lai Hung commune shared: "Welcoming Tet at the unit feels a bit sad. This is because I have not celebrated Tet away from my family. But on the contrary, I have all my youth here. I have friends with the same age, eating together, living together... I think I will have a meaningful Tet". "This is the first time I celebrate Tet on the island. I really miss my family anyway, but, on a remote island, I have a "big family", with comrades who are as close as brothers”, soldier Cao Le Duc Tuan from Bau Bang district’s Hung Hoa commune said.

Visiting officers and soldiers, especially those from Binh Duong who are performing military service in the Naval Region 4, Colonel Nguyen Dinh Chuan, Political Commissar of provincial Military Command shared: "The Tet festival 2024 is approaching, but officers and soldiers on the front lines must put aside their personal feelings to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland and ensure that the people have a peaceful and prosperous Tet. The Party Committee, government and people of Binh Duong province highly appreciate their sacrifice and dedication while wanting that the officers and soldiers of the Navy Region 4 will further promote the heroic traditions of the Vietnam People's Army, overcoming all difficulties, being ready for combat readiness to defend the Fatherland, the peaceful life of the people and excellently complete tasks assigned by the Party, State and people".

The luggage carried by soldiers in their twenties to remote islands, in addition to "backpacks and guns on their shoulders", is also the aspiration of youth determined to firmly protect the sacred sovereignty of national sea and islands. It is the bright smile and love sent to the beloved rear of the young soldiers. It is the loving arms and the message of "hard legs and soft rocks" from relatives sending them off to do their duty at the front of the wave. The wind...Spring has come. On a remote island, the soldiers send waves with the promise of being sure of their guns and having faith to complete their assigned tasks well.

To promptly encourage officers and soldiers to feel secure and warm their hearts, be sure of their guns, steady their hands on the steering wheel, protecting national sea and islands so that the people can feel secure and enjoy Tet. On the thresold of the Lunar New Year 2024, Binh Duong province organized many delegations to visit, ofer gifts and extend Tet greetings to officers and soldiers on duty on sea and islands. Especially, the province also offered gifts to the local officers and soldiers who are on duty on national sea and islands...

Reported by Thu Thao-Translated by Kim Tin