Three long whistles sounded, this is a familiar ritual of marine soldiers to welcome the new year when the New Year's Eve comes. Senior Lieutenant Tran Ngoc Dung, Captain of Ship CSB 4039, Squadron 422, Squadron 42, Command (BTL) of Coast Guard Region 4, gave the signal to the maritime personnel to perform the above ritual.
According to Senior Lieutenant Tran Ngoc Dung, in the middle of the vast ocean, at the sacred moment of the transition between heaven and earth, the solemn sound of the ship's whistle arouses many emotions in the officers and soldiers.
After the New Year's whistle-blowing ceremony, except for the guards and on duty, the entire ship gathered to listen to the Party and State leaders read the New Year's greetings, and to listen to the Chief of the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Regional Command to encourage and wish them a Happy New Year. At the same time, a New Year's meal was organized for the Party Committee and ship commanders to wish the New Year, give lucky money to the officers and soldiers, and share with each other about work and life...
Although we cannot watch large-scale, grandiose art performances like on the mainland, the whole unit will sing and play together with homegrown works in the spirit of "our soldiers sing, our troops listen".
It is as simple as that, but at the moment of transition from the old year to the new year, in the vastness of the sea and sky, this simple thing is extremely meaningful, creating a great strength of solidarity and spiritual motivation. In the arms, the affection of comrades, hearing the voices of leaders at all levels from the mainland, the soldier will ease his homesickness, overcome his weakest moments to confidently carry out his mission.
Among the officers and soldiers on duty at sea during Tet this year of the Coast Guard Region 4 Command, there are many comrades who volunteered to carry out the task, putting aside the small happiness of their families. Some even had to overcome the pain of losing a loved one to continue to complete their tasks well.
Major Hoang Dinh Anh - Maritime officer, Ship CSB 4035, Squadron 422, Squadron 42 - just received the news of his father-in-law's death a few days ago, he could not hide his emotion.
“My father-in-law is a very caring and thoughtful person towards his children and grandchildren. Now that I am not at home, I just hope that my wife and children on the mainland will be strong enough to overcome this pain without me by their side. My comrades and teammates on the ship as well as leaders and commanders at all levels also encouraged and shared with my family, which is the source of motivation that helps me overcome,” Major Hoang Dinh Anh confided.
And Lieutenant Nguyen Van Quan - Ship Electrician, Ship CSB 4039, Squadron 422, a young father who just welcomed his first daughter more than 2 months ago - confided: "The first Tet of my first daughter that I was not home to celebrate with her, I miss her so much, I love her so much! The day the ship was preparing to go to sea, my father unfortunately fell and broke his arm. At this time, my family really needs me, but the task on my shoulders, if it is within my ability, I should try to do it, I cannot push it to others. After this duty, I will ask the commander for permission to visit my family and buy lots of gifts for my daughter."
The loyal marines always stick to their ships and the sea, determined to firmly protect the sovereignty, maintain the security and safety of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. In them, the love for family is still boundless, but the responsibility for the homeland is the solid foundation for family happiness.
