Welcoming Tet away from home with comrades
In the days leading up to the Binh Ngo Lunar New Year 2026, the atmosphere at Radar Station 56 (Regiment 290, Division 375, Air Defense - Air Force Service) stationed in Nam Trach commune (Quang Tri province) is both bustling with the colors of spring and full of the seriousness of a unit ready to fight.
In the midst of the Central region's sun and wind, the warning bell of combat rang out urgently. Immediately, the soldiers' bustling footsteps headed towards the duty position. The screen showed radar waves, continuously scanning streaks of light, requiring high concentration so as not to miss any strange targets.
In rare moments of rest, Corporal Nguyen Dang Hoang Thuong (from Da Nang) took the opportunity to call his family. This is the first year Thuong has celebrated Tet away from home. Looking through the phone screen, seeing his parents preparing to prepare the ancestral altar, the young soldier could not help but feel emotional.
However, homesickness was quickly filled by warm comradeship. Hoang Thuong shared that, despite being away from his family, at the unit, he still felt the warmth of Tet through activities of wrapping banh chung, picking democratic flowers and sincere words of encouragement from the commander.
Celebrating Tet at the unit is a special experience, helping me train my bravery and better understand my responsibility for the peace of the people" - Hoang Thuong confided with a radiant smile.
Standing side by side with the young soldiers, Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Huy Hoang - Deputy Head of Radar Station 56 - was also busy decorating the unit with his brothers. Apricot trees and peach trees were meticulously pruned, and brightly colored flashing lights were hung up, making the already dry battlefield suddenly warm.
He said that eating together, living together, being on duty together and welcoming New Year's Eve on the battlefield has created a strong bond between soldiers, helping them feel secure in their work, considering the unit as their second home.
15 springs guarding the "eye of the god" on the waves
For radar soldiers, the concept of "Tet" is always associated with the two words "mission". During 16 years of work, Major Tran Quoc Tuan - Head of Radar Station 56 - has celebrated New Year's Eve 15 times on the battlefield.
He understands that the time for everyone to rest is also the time when forces can take advantage to cause surprises. Therefore, the Party Committee and unit commanders always thoroughly grasp the spirit of "high combat readiness, firmly managing the airspace".
Major Tran Quoc Tuan said that during the Binh Ngo Tet 2026, the unit closely coordinates with sister units to organize many meaningful activities such as campfires, folk game competitions and especially the solemn New Year's flag salute ceremony. These activities not only relieve pressure but also add spiritual strength to soldiers.
On New Year's Eve, in the quiet space of Nam Trach village, "divine eyes" are still diligently sweeping into the air. Behind the dry technical indicators are the hot hearts of the soldiers of Radar Station 56.
They put aside moments of reunion with wives, children, and parents to exchange for a peaceful spring for millions of other families.
The spring of the Radar soldiers is simple but also great. It is the spring of silent dedication, when the sky is always blue and peaceful under the guard of the steadfast "sky guard" soldiers at the forefront of the Fatherland.
