On January 1, I and the working delegation of the Naval Region 2 Command departed to visit and wish a happy new year to the DK1 platforms, the on-duty ships, Radar Station 590 and the civil and party agencies of Con Dao District on the occasion of the 2025 New Year. The voyage lasted 16 days (from January 1 to 16, 2025).
Warmth from the land
In addition to the goods and necessities prepared according to the Ministry of National Defense's Tet standards such as pork, chicken, sticky rice, dong leaves, kumquats, jams, etc., there are also postcards, paintings, and letters "crossing the waves" to the remote islands.
The letters, though simple, are filled with love for the sea and islands, and are priceless spiritual gifts carrying words of encouragement from students to soldiers on duty. More than 1,000 letters from students of An Binh Primary School (HCMC) and Hoang Dieu High School (Long Khanh City, Dong Nai).
On familiar square paper, each line is carefully and neatly written by tiny hands. The letters are meticulously decorated with colorful images of the Vietnamese flag and navy soldiers. The words are short, simple but sincere, making the reader feel nostalgic and emotional.
Letters were decorated on apricot and peach trees by officers and soldiers of DK1/9 platform.
Dang Ngoc Minh Khoi, a student at An Binh Primary School, wrote: “Uncle! Are you cold in the remote islands? You must miss home a lot, right? I thank you for your hard work, giving us a peaceful life. Remember to take care of your health. It's very cold, remember to wear warm clothes.”
Looking towards the sacred sea, islands and southern continental shelf of the Fatherland, students of Hoang Dieu High School also expressed their admiration for the officers and soldiers and took that as motivation to strive in their studies.
Soldiers of DK1 platform read letters sent from the mainland.
Luu Ngoc Kim Uyen wrote: “Although I have never been to a remote island, I always think about you - those who are protecting sacred sovereignty day and night. I know that where you are stationed, the waves are very harsh and perhaps homesickness is always in your hearts. But because of your duty and love for the country, you still steadfastly stay. I admire and am proud of your brave spirit and silent sacrifice to help life be peaceful and happy. I would like to send my best wishes for your health, peace and strong spirit…”.
Great source of encouragement for soldiers of DK1 platform
Traveling 339 nautical miles (more than 627 km) to the DK1/9 platform, the soldiers read the love letters aloud with bright smiles. In addition, the letters were decorated on each apricot and peach branch.
As the person who connects and brings letters from the mainland to the islands, Lieutenant Pham Van Cong, Political Commissar of Truong Sa 21 ship, emotionally confided that delivering letters to his comrades is not only a duty, but also a special mission. If there is a next opportunity, he and his comrades are still determined to overcome the storm to bring the letters of the compatriots to the officers and soldiers of DK1 platform.
Members of the Truong Sa 21 boat crew crossed the waves to deliver gifts to the DK1 platform.
Holding the letter in his hand, attentively reading each word of the students, Senior Lieutenant Pham Van Cong choked up: "When reading, I experienced many indescribable emotions. The children are very cute, innocent with natural but touching words. The words of encouragement in the letter give us great spiritual strength. The children not only send their feelings to the naval soldiers at the DK1 platform but also to the soldiers working all over the country."
DK1/9 rig stands tall in the middle of the ocean
Receiving handwritten letters from the mainland, young soldiers performing their duties at DK1 platform were inspired with a strong will and their difficulties were eased.
Mr. Ho Van Phuong (from Nhon Trach District, Dong Nai), a soldier who celebrated Tet for the first time at DK1/21 platform, confided that when he first arrived here, he was not used to the weather, waves, wind and missed his family. But because of the Fatherland and the help of officers and comrades, he gradually got used to it and was always ready to perform well the assigned tasks.
When asked about his feelings after reading the letter, Mr. Phuong said he was very happy and touched: "This is a great and timely source of motivation for us to strive to maintain sovereignty over the sea."
Lieutenant Colonel Trieu Thanh Tung, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2, visited and wished a happy new year to DK1/9 platform on January 3.
On July 5, 1989, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now the Prime Minister) issued Directive No. 180/CT on the construction of the Economic - Scientific - Service Cluster (abbreviated as DK1) in the reef area, belonging to the Vung Tau - Con Dao Special Zone (now Ba Ria - Vung Tau). Over the past 35 years, the DK1 platforms have been like steel monuments marking the sovereignty of the sea, islands and southern continental shelf of the Fatherland.
According to the Naval Region 2 Command, to meet the mission requirements in the new situation; DKI officers and soldiers are striving to compete and excellently complete all assigned tasks.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-la-thu-vuot-song-ra-dk1-noi-bien-dao-xa-chu-co-lanh-lam-khong-185250122204528592.htm
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