National defense

Spring on the Southwest Islands - Part 1: Steadfast on the Frontline

SUCCESS January 22, 2025 11:00

In early 2025, reporter Thanh Dat of Hai Duong Newspaper and a working delegation of the Naval Region 5 Command visited and wished a Happy New Year to soldiers and civilians on islands in the southwestern sea of ​​the Fatherland.

00:00

tau-526.jpg
Tet gifts brought by officers and soldiers of Naval Region 5 to soldiers and people on islands in the Southwest of the Fatherland

From today, Hai Duong newspaper publishes a series of articles "Spring on the Southwest Sea and Islands" reflecting special and meaningful feelings for officers and soldiers who are day and night guarding the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.

The train carries nmeaningful

At exactly 10:00 p.m. on January 4, 2025, after three long whistles, two ships numbered 526 and 527 (Navy Region 5) left Phu Quoc Island with a special mission.

The two ships carried a working delegation from the Naval Region 5 Command, along with representatives from southern provinces and cities, and central and local press reporters to visit and wish the soldiers and people on the islands a Happy New Year.

Most of the delegates and reporters on the two ships were visiting the Southwest Islands for the first time. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the trip, wishing to bring some gifts from home, the scent of spring and words of encouragement to the officers, soldiers and people on the islands in the days leading up to the new year.

giao-luu.jpg
Delegates in the delegation, officers and soldiers, performed cultural exchange on ship 527 on the way to the southwestern islands.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong (her maternal hometown is in Ha Thanh commune, Tu Ky), former Deputy General Director of Agribank, emotionally said: With the spirit of "For the homeland's sea and islands - For the frontline of the Fatherland", over the years, Agribank has always accompanied the officers, soldiers and people of the Southwest islands. This year, in addition to essential gifts, the delegation also brought Nhat Tan peach branches from Hanoi to give to the officers and soldiers, hoping that the officers and soldiers will always complete their tasks well, and forever be a solid support for the people in the middle of the ocean".

Enlisted in early 2024, the spring of At Ty is the first year that Corporal Le Thanh Minh, a soldier of gunboat 253, celebrates Tet in the army. This Tet is even more special when he is assigned to ship 526 to overcome big waves, bringing the taste of Tet from the mainland to the islands. "We feel the deep concern of the head of the Navy Region 5 Command, the delegates and reporters, bringing the warmth and spring colors of the rear to the soldiers and people on the outpost islands of the Fatherland. We will try to complete the assigned tasks well, take the officers and reporters to visit and wish the soldiers and people on the islands a safe and healthy Tet," said Minh.

Early springtoutpost island

tang-qua(1).jpg
Leaders of Naval Region 5 Command presented Tet gifts to representatives of units on Hon Doc Island.

Hon Doc Island - the first destination that the delegation arrived at dawn. Looking from the boat to Hon Doc, the sparkling sun created a beautiful picture. Because the boat could not dock, the delegation had to transfer to a small boat to get to the island.

Climbing more than 3 km to the station of officers and soldiers of Radar Station 625, Regiment 551, Naval Region 5 Command was a challenge for some members of the working group. We were even more impressed when we learned that officers and soldiers here have to travel this road every day to carry out their duties.

hon-chuoi.jpg
Soldiers on Hon Chuoi Island decorate to welcome Lunar New Year 2025

Despite the difficulties, optimism still shines in the eyes of the officers and soldiers of Radar Station 625. Captain Nguyen Tuan Anh, Head of Radar Station 625, said that in addition to the task of being ready for combat, the officers and soldiers in the unit are all eager to prepare for Tet, ensuring that the Tet atmosphere is full of the flavors and characteristics of each region.

Tet At Ty 2025 is even more meaningful when Radar Station 625 and the soldiers and people on the island are welcomed by the working delegation to visit, wish them a happy new year, and hand over practical gifts so that the officers and soldiers can have a full and warm Tet.

Continuing the journey, the working group brought early spring to the islands of Tho Chu, Hon Khoai, Hon Chuoi and Nam Du. On each island, officers and soldiers went down to the port to welcome each person to the island. The tight handshakes and warm hugs cemented the close relationship between the army and the people. Captain Bui Ngoc Dinh, Political Commissar of Radar Station 595 (Regiment 511, Naval Region 5 Command) said that in the days before Tet, after working hours, officers and soldiers together decorated the rooms to welcome spring and set up the altar of Uncle Ho. To create a spring atmosphere in the unit, the soldiers folded and cut artificial flowers to decorate the trees. On the island, there were also plenty of banh chung, pork, candy, etc.

banh-chung.jpg
Officers and soldiers on Nam Du island wrap banh chung to celebrate Tet

The final destination on Nam Du Island, the working group, soldiers and people on the island gathered to wrap banh chung. While wrapping the banh chung, everyone asked about each other and told each other stories from the island and the mainland. Each person came from a different region, so the way they wrapped the banh chung was also different. The pot of banh chung was very special, full of the salty taste of the ocean, the sun and wind of the remote island, but full of affection.

At each island, the delegation only had 1-2 hours to visit, then had to move back to the ship. At the moment of parting, the members of the delegation were all reluctant, hoping to have the opportunity to return to visit this beloved island.

The ship left the dock, carrying New Year's greetings from officers and soldiers from distant islands to the rear, to their hometowns, wishing the mainland a new year filled with health, peace and success.

Next: "Divine Eye" of the Sea

SUCCESS
(0) Comments
Latest News
Spring on the Southwest Islands - Part 1: Steadfast on the Frontline