Strengthening Tet duty to maintain peace in the sea area of the Fatherland
At the port of Naval Flotilla 401, officers and soldiers of Coast Guard Vessel 8005, Naval Flotilla 42, Coast Guard Region 4 Command again began a journey against the waves. That is the journey to bring spring from the mainland to the sea.
On the deck, Tet gifts have been neatly arranged: rice, food, fruits and even branches of apricot blossoms and peach blossoms with brilliant spring colors. Amidst the busyness of work, that color makes the ship seem closer to the mainland before setting sail.
Three long whistles rang to greet the port. The loud, decisive order of Captain Nguyen Van Cong - Captain rang out: "The entire ship is on combat alert, preparing to go to sea...".
In the cockpit, the encouragement of Senior Lieutenant Cao Dang Trung - Political Commissar of Coast Guard Vessel 8005 warmly rang out from the internal loudspeaker: "Dear comrades! Ahead of us is the sea, is the mission, but also the belief of Heads, commanders at all levels and families. When the ship has left the port, each of us is an inseparable part of the unity and solidarity. The sea may be rough, the waves may be high, but the bravery of a Vietnamese Coast Guard soldier is never allowed to be shaken...".
The last chains are collected on the deck. The ship gradually moves out of the wharf, leaving behind white water strips. Each spinning shaft takes the ship further away from the mainland, also at the time of bringing warmth from the houses that have just closed their doors to welcome Tet.
Spring is present on the peaceful smiles of fishermen
Amidst the vast ocean in the days leading up to Tet, when the ship is performing patrol duties, the image of fishing boats of fishermen still diligently reaching out to sea makes everyone even more touched. Under the dry sun, the blue uniform of the Coast Guard blends with the red color of the national flag just awarded.
Fisherman Tran Van Tinh, from An Giang, received the flag with joy clearly visible on his sunburned face. He carefully met each needle and thread and hung it highest on the mast. "With this flag, looking from afar, you know it's your people, seeing the Coast Guard officers, you see your home," Mr. Tinh shared.
Amidst the space filled with the pungent taste of fish sauce and the salty breath of the sea breeze, reminders about legal safety, not encroaching on foreign waters, and strictly implementing regulations against illegal seafood exploitation are recalled as closely as words of advice from relatives before the long trip.
In response, there was a gentle smile from the old fisherman. "There are uncles on duty here, we celebrate Tet at sea with a light heart. Looking from afar, seeing the Coast Guard ship is seeing our home," Mr. Tinh said.
When the fishing boat left, the engine sound chirped in harmony with the sound of the waves. From the deck, the soldiers shouted loudly along the water: wishing the people a new year of smooth sailing, calm seas, and full of fish in the hold. The wishes blended into the sea breeze, bringing the warmth of the mainland to the "living milestones" that are clinging to the sea day and night.
Standing on the deck watching the distant shadow of the boat, in the vast ocean, the marine soldier does not feel lonely. Fishermen are the rear, the eyes in the open sea, and Coast Guard ships are a solid support at the forefront of the waves.
Tet at sea does not have brilliant fireworks, no cheerful laughter of the family, but there is regular engine sound, long shifts, red flag colors in the blue sky and quiet faith being sent and given.
For Coast Guard soldiers, spring comes not only from the mainland, but also present in the peaceful smiles of fishermen in the open sea.
