Welcoming spring on the 'eye of the sea'

"The first time I celebrate Tet away from home, I miss home a bit, but here I have a different joy. Above all, I understand the meaning of my work: contributing to preserving the sea and islands, and bringing peace to the people" - young soldier Sung Sinh confided about the days of celebrating Tet far away.

Rear Admiral Vu Van Nam wishes good health to the soldiers of the 169th Brigade - Photo: VINH HA

Sung Sinh, a young soldier at radar station 485 of Naval Region 1 (Quang Ninh province), shares some personal feelings as Tet is approaching.

Up to "sea eye"

During a visit and New Year greetings to officers and soldiers at station 485 on the days before Tet, Rear Admiral Vu Van Nam - Commander of Naval Region 1 - said that 485 is a radar station with a higher altitude than other stations in Region 1. He likened it to the "divine eye of the navy" or "eye of the sea".

The mission of radar soldiers is to observe and detect all strange targets that invade our country's waters. Information sent from radar stations is very important for combat units to carry out their missions.

To reach the "eye of the sea" 485, one must cross a muddy, rocky path, cross large and small streams and climb nearly 1,300 steep stone steps. Building a road up the limestone cliff is very difficult, especially the part of transporting materials up. The stone steps were built by the soldiers at station 485 themselves, so it took even more time.

A person assigned to build just two steps had to carry the materials up several times, then chisel and build the stone. The stone steps were uneven, with some steps being short and some very high. Some were too narrow or too vertical, showing that they were the work of unprofessional but determined "builders".

They had been building that stone path for nearly 10 years. While it was not completed, soldiers still had to go up and down the mountain along the mountainside trails.

The story of the soldiers at sea became more vivid when they went with the group of officers and soldiers of station 485 to change shifts on the days before Tet.

"There are many snakes in the primeval forest. Before the road was built, nearly 10 soldiers were bitten by snakes and had to be carried down the mountain for emergency treatment. Transporting food and water during the dry season is also quite difficult. Every time they change shifts, the people at the command post have to carry two cans of water and food, rice, and salt up the mountain. Even if the navy soldiers walk fast, it will take about 2 hours to reach the top, while it may take 3 hours for normal people to get there," said a soldier at station 485.

Soldiers maintaining the radar system at station 485 - Photo: VINH HA

"Because I am a soldier"

This is a familiar saying of young soldiers at radar station 485, when asked about overcoming difficulties to complete their missions and also overcoming homesickness when having to celebrate Tet in a combat-ready situation.

At station 485, there are people with over 20 years of military service, but there are new recruits like Sung Sinh who has only been in the army for a year and is celebrating his first Tet away from home. Sinh said this is the most different Tet of his life. Instead of preparing to celebrate Tet with his family, gathering with friends or going to the market, Sinh celebrates Tet with his teammates. A Tet with peach blossoms, banh chung, campfires and group activities but with the spirit of always being ready for combat. That makes the new recruit both homesick and excited and proud.

"I miss home, but I console myself that I am doing an important and meaningful mission. Therefore, I have to be strong to try to complete the mission, I cannot be negligent" - the new soldier also emphasized "Because I am a soldier".

Sinh shared the secret of "having a girlfriend in the countryside". He said that at station 485, the phone signal is weak and the Internet is also unstable. To be able to call his girlfriend between shifts, Sinh has to find the best "signal" spot. Sinh said he will call his parents and girlfriend after his shift during Tet. The young couple is in a long-distance relationship but trusts each other. The girl told her boyfriend to rest assured to do his duty while she waits.

Nguyen Xuan Tan, another young soldier, also had a Tet holiday that marked his military service because he was discharged right after Tet. The unit organized a banh chung wrapping event and Tan was in charge of wrapping the banh chung. Although it was his first time "doing it", Tan was quite skillful. Tan said this was his second Tet away from home and he was able to celebrate Tet with his comrades.

"As a soldier, you can do anything, from growing vegetables, raising pigs, cleaning, cooking, and still be ready to do your duty well," Tan said.

It was still early but the conference room of the 485 station headquarters was decorated for Tet. When the pot of banh chung was put on the stove, the campfire began in the yard of the barracks. The program to welcome spring included both bamboo dancing and modern dancing and many other exciting games. Play hard and work hard.

During Tet, station 485 still has three shifts on duty. While soldiers are happily celebrating the spring below, on the mountain top, other soldiers are highly focused on their duties.

When inspecting the combat duty at this station, the regional commander - Mr. Vu Van Nam - said that the soldiers at the radar stations have to overcome many difficulties and hardships. They have to be on duty in circumstances far from their families, far from the mainland, and far from the command headquarters below. Radar soldiers on duty on New Year's Eve will therefore have very special emotions. They cannot leave their observation and guard positions to protect the peace for everyone to celebrate Tet. Around them there is only the silence of the mountains and the sea. But that is also why the New Year greetings and responses from afar become extremely meaningful and warm.

"On New Year's Eve, while at the station, receiving New Year's greetings from my comrades and superiors, I was very moved," said one soldier. Meanwhile, another said that hearing the voices of his relatives on New Year's Eve made him feel strangely warm, something he had never noticed before his military career.

Wrapping banh chung together to relieve homesickness - Photo: VINH HA

Visiting and giving gifts to encourage officers and soldiers in Brigade 169 on the eve of Tet, Rear Admiral Vu Van Nam reminded the brigade commander to pay attention to the material and spiritual life of officers and soldiers so that they can feel warm. Each ship is a family and there are many families in a big family.

Banh Chung cooking competition in combat squadron

At Brigade 169 of Naval Region 1, the days leading up to Tet are filled with a jubilant spring atmosphere. According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Tho, deputy commander of Brigade 169, all ships in the squadron have rooms to welcome spring, decorated to resemble the Tet atmosphere in families.

Soldiers at station 485 guard the banh chung fire - Photo: VINH HA

Not only organizing the scoring of the rooms to welcome the spring, the brigade also organized for officers and soldiers of the ships to compete in wrapping banh chung. The finished banh chung will be cut, tasted and scored. Such spring entertainment takes place simultaneously with ensuring combat readiness. Major Nguyen Duc Tho said that when detecting a target invading the territory or any situation that requires inspection or rescue at sea, the ships immediately set sail with 100% of the required personnel. Therefore, the Tet holiday of soldiers in the combat squadrons is always special.

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