Tet at sea with teammates
As Tet is approaching, when every family is preparing to gather around the year-end reunion dinner, the officers and soldiers of the Coast Guard Region 4 Command are still quietly continuing to leave port to carry out their duties at sea. Each person carries within them the determination to firmly protect the sovereignty, maintain security and order, and safety of the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland. They are also preparing to welcome a Tet away from home on the vast ocean with their comrades and teammates.
At the port of the Coast Guard Region 4, all preparations for the ships on duty at sea during Tet were completed early in the morning. The flavors of Tet were also brought on board with green Chung cakes, pickled onions, and small apricot and peach branches, helping officers and soldiers ease their homesickness. Despite celebrating Tet in difficult and harsh conditions at sea, they always try to maintain an optimistic spirit, solidarity, and preserve the traditional cultural identity of the nation.
With over 25 years of military service, Captain Doan Duc Tri - Battery Commander, CSB 3008 Ship, Squadron 422, Squadron 42 - has been on duty at sea many times during Tet. Busy preparing ingredients to wrap Chung cakes, he happily chatted and shared about his memories of being on duty during Tet.
“Welcoming the New Year, celebrating Tet in the middle of the vast ocean and sky, everyone has a moment of sadness when thinking about the mainland, about family, but we always put our duties first. We receive attention and encouragement from leaders and commanders at all levels and the closest ones are our comrades and teammates who are by our side. That is an important and great motivation for us to maintain our spirit of peace of mind to carry out our duties,” Captain Tri confided.
Senior Lieutenant Tran Ngoc Dung - Captain of Ship CSB 4039, Squadron 422, Squadron 42 - said: "Although far from home, unable to gather with family during Tet, all officers and soldiers on the ship clearly identify their duties. Keeping the sea area under our management peaceful is a source of pride and a great responsibility that we are ready to take on. We will bring spring to the mainland, to the sea and sky of the Fatherland."
Keep spring peaceful for the people
Before leaving for their Tet duty at sea, receiving the affection, thoughtful greetings, encouragement, and New Year wishes from the unit's leaders and commanders, the officers and soldiers on Ship CSB 6003, Squadron 401 all expressed their determination to excellently complete the assigned tasks, not allowing any passive or unexpected situations to occur at sea.
Lieutenant Le Tuan Loc - Mechanic - Deck, CSB 6003 Ship, Squadron 401 - shared: "Although Tet at sea is far from home, we always feel proud. Protecting the peace of fishermen and the sovereignty of the sea and islands is a sacred duty, the most meaningful gift we send to our families and homeland."
In the warm atmosphere, the handshakes, hugs, and words of advice and encouragement from the unit leaders, commanders, and teammates moved many people to tears.
Colonel Tran Nguyen Lai, Deputy Commander - Chief of Staff of Coast Guard Region 4, went down to the ship to wish the officers and soldiers a Happy New Year, encouraged each person, and inspected each kitchen, food, and provisions brought along.
Colonel Tran Nguyen Lai shared: During the Lunar New Year of At Ty, nearly 60% of the entire Regional Command had ships and boats performing tasks at sea.
“With the spirit of “not letting soldiers celebrate Tet alone”, the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and the Head of the Regional Command always pay attention to leading and directing the good work of political and ideological education, building the mettle and determination of officers and soldiers. Pay attention to encouraging and ensuring good material and spiritual life for soldiers; regularly contact and closely coordinate with families and relatives of officers and soldiers to encourage and share in a timely manner... Therefore, 100% of officers and soldiers are always assured in their work, determined to firmly protect the sovereignty, security and safety of the sea and islands of the Fatherland”, Colonel Tran Nguyen Lai emphasized.
