Bring spring gifts to the outpost island

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2024, the Naval Region 3 Command organized a delegation to visit and wish a happy new year to the soldiers and people on Con Co island district (Quang Tri), Ly Son (Quang Ngai). Overcoming many difficulties in the conditions of big waves and strong winds, the delegation brought deep affection from the mainland and brought spring gifts to the outpost islands.

Warmth from the land

According to the schedule, on the afternoon of January 22, from Tien Sa port (Da Nang), ship KN390 sailed overnight at sea to reach Con Co island. On this trip, in addition to officers and soldiers of Naval Region 3 and reporters and editors from local areas, there were also nearly 30 delegations from agencies, departments, sectors, units, businesses, artists... who visited, gave gifts, and wished the soldiers and people on the island a Happy New Year.

At the end of the year, due to the influence of the Northeast monsoon, the sea was rough, many large waves hit the ship's side, creating white foam, covering the deck. After more than 12 hours, traveling 90 nautical miles, many people in the group began to feel tired and nauseous due to seasickness. Many people skipped the first breakfast and also the second meal on the KN390. The officers and soldiers on duty on the ship divided into rooms to visit and encourage each person and served dry meals on the spot with the most attentive and thoughtful attitude.

Rear Admiral Nguyen Dang Tien, Political Commissar of Naval Region 3, and the delegation presented flags and life buoys to fishermen of Ly Son island district.

At around 7:00 a.m. on January 23, ship KN390 approached Con Co island. In the middle of the vast ocean with fierce waves, Con Co island appeared majestically, the red flag with yellow star fluttering on the flagpole. Due to rough seas and large waves of 5-6m high, although the ship's location was only a few hundred meters from the island, it was very difficult to approach. After many discussions on options, Rear Admiral - Political Commissar of Naval Region 3 Nguyen Dang Tien decided to transfer goods, necessities, and Tet gifts by canoe to a fishing boat to transport to the island. In the conditions of big waves and strong winds, the transfer of goods was very difficult. After more than 3 hours of struggling with the waves and wind, all the goods and Tet gifts from the Ministry of National Defense, the Navy, the Naval Region 3 Command, and agencies, units, and individuals across the country to Con Co island district were finally transported.

With the goal of ensuring absolute safety for the crew members and sailors, after much consideration, the head of the working delegation decided to wish the officers, soldiers, and civilians of Con Co island district a Happy New Year online. On behalf of the working delegation, the leaders of Naval Region 3 sent the best New Year wishes to the comrades in the District Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee of Con Co island district, the forces working and stationed on the island district, and all the people. At the same time, he expressed his wish that the army and people would always unite, overcome all difficulties, and be determined to build the island district stronger and stronger, successfully complete the assigned tasks, and be worthy of being a heroic island - the outpost island of the Fatherland in the East Sea. Along with many meaningful wishes for the New Year, songs and singing by professional and non-professional artists in the working delegation were prepared and sent to the naval officers and soldiers performing their sacred duties on Con Co island.

On behalf of the cadres, government, people and forces on duty on the island, Comrade Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Co Island District, Vo Viet Cuong, sincerely thanked the attention of the leaders of the Party, State, army, Naval Region 3 Command and agencies, units, individuals and reporters for their encouragement, gifts and New Year wishes to the island district's army and people. This is a priceless gift, a great source of encouragement and motivation to help the government and people feel secure in their work, stick to the sea and uphold the spirit of determination to firmly protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, worthy of the trust and love of the Party, State and people nationwide.

Proud of sacred sea and island sovereignty

After a journey of more than 15 hours running through the night, on the morning of January 24, the KN390 ship arrived at Ly Son Island. The weather on the island was not favorable due to clouds and rain. However, regardless of the hardship, immediately after receiving the command from the commander, the delegates on the KN390 ship put on raincoats and life jackets and took turns moving to small boats to get to the island.

On Ly Son Island, the delegation offered incense at the Hoang Sa Team Memorial Monument, which is also in charge of Bac Hai, the Ly Son District Martyrs' Cemetery, and paid tribute to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the sea and islands of their homeland. At the same time, they performed the flag-raising ceremony at the flagpole of Ly Son Island. In front of the majestic flagpole, representing the sovereignty of Ly Son Island, Rear Admiral Nguyen Dang Tien and the delegation solemnly held the flag-raising ceremony, expressing their determination to excellently complete the assigned tasks, firmly holding their guns to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. At the same time, they vowed to study, fight and work, worthy of the great sacrifices of previous generations...

The delegation participated in wrapping cakes and arranging Tet dishes.

with officers and soldiers on Ly Son island. Photo: A. Tuan

During this trip, the delegation also visited, wished a Happy New Year, presented gifts to officers and soldiers of Radar Station 550 under Regiment 351, Naval Region 3, along with the government, people, armed forces units and presented national flags and life buoys to fishermen on the island. Here, Rear Admiral Nguyen Dang Tien, Political Commissar of Naval Region 3, emphasized that the visit, wished a Happy New Year to Con Co and Ly Son island districts and organized patrols and managed the sea area from Da Nang - Con Co, Con Co - Ly Son, Ly Son - Da Nang is a major activity, with profound political and social significance, arousing the sentiments, awareness and responsibility of provinces, cities, agencies, departments, branches and people of all walks of life in preserving the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, effectively implementing the socio-economic development strategy of national defense and security. At the same time, affirm the integrity of national sovereignty over seas and islands and promote socialization, mobilize all resources for seas and islands, and encourage localities nationwide to turn towards the seas and islands of the Fatherland.

The journey of nearly 500 nautical miles of the Working Group on ship KN390 has ended, but has multiplied the solidarity and close relationship between the rear and the front, between the Party Committee, government, army and people of the Central provinces, central and local press and radio agencies with the navy, army and people of Con Co and Ly Son island districts.

Mr. Tuan

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