"Copper citadel" maintains sovereignty over maritime borders

Kinhtedothi - Surrounded by the ocean with sunshine and wind all year round, the soldiers on the rig have become strong and resilient. Their will and spirit always affirm their determination to complete their mission and maintain the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas.

With nostalgia for the mainland, nostalgia for the homeland

When we set foot on the platform, what made us feel close to the mainland was that although there were waves and sea breezes on all sides, the platform was calm and peaceful. The platform was built modernly and solidly with full equipment to ensure the life, activities and work of the officers and soldiers.

DKI Platform officers and soldiers are busy decorating the space to welcome Tet - Photo: Van Ha

The Tet atmosphere on the platform became bustling when the working group arrived with gifts and Tet goods. The officers and soldiers happily arranged and decorated Uncle Ho's altar with gifts full of spring colors: kumquat pots, yellow apricot branches, cakes, candies, etc. To welcome Tet early, the platform also organized Chung cake wrapping with full flavors of home.

Touched when receiving the goods and gifts brought by the delegation, professional military Captain Nguyen Tien Tung, Rada staff, DKI/21 Platform shared: "The affection, encouragement, and gifts from the mainland have brought the distance closer. Even though we are far from the mainland, we can still feel the atmosphere of Tet in our homeland".

The oil rig organizes making banh chung to celebrate Tet with all the flavors of the mainland - Photo: Van Ha

Tet on DKI/9 platform has kumquat, peach, apricot... On Uncle Ho's altar are displayed fruits, cakes, jams... - Photo: Van Ha

In a cozy atmosphere, the officers, soldiers of the rig and members of the working group together wrapped Chung cakes and sang songs about the soldiers of the rig - Video: Van Ha

With a "record" of 10 years of celebrating Tet on the rig, every year, every time Tet comes, the feelings of Captain Pham Tien Dung when welcoming the working delegation to visit his home are still intact. "Tet at sea is still full of flavors like on land. We exchange arts, play chess, and pick democratic flowers. On New Year's Eve, everyone gathers together to wish each other good things" - Captain Pham Tien Dung said.

The working group brought the spring atmosphere to the platforms, but we were closer to the mainland when we saw the joyful images of lush green vegetable beds with all kinds of mustard greens, Malabar spinach, and even spices such as onions, basil, and chili peppers... and to prepare for Tet, the DKI/21 platform also raised chickens and pigs to provide more fresh food for the soldiers.

Love of country gives strength

One thing that is easily noticed when interacting with the soldiers on the rig is their indomitable spirit, their loyalty, and their willingness to devote their youth and contribute their strength to maintaining the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

The rig has brought the mainland closer to the lush green vegetable beds that are carefully and meticulously fertilized - Photo: Van Ha

As someone who has been attached to the navy for 30 years, Major Bui Xuan Ngoc's spirit of dedication to the DKI/9 platform is always burning. He confided that since he was 14-15 years old, he had a dream of becoming a navy soldier, so he always tried to study and strive to make his dream come true.

"Up to now, after 30 years of working, I feel very proud because I have contributed my strength and youth to the Fatherland; firmly protecting the sacred islands and continental shelf of the Fatherland or at the DKI platform where the waves and winds blow. Although the living and working conditions on the platform are more difficult than on the mainland, the soldiers overcome them with determination and a passionate love for the Fatherland" - Major Bui Xuan Ngoc was moved.

For Sergeant Dinh Thai Duc, DKI Battalion, this was his first assignment at the platform, so he felt extremely nervous, partly because he was far from home and partly because the platform was always windy and stormy all year round. Encouraged by his family and comrades, the 20-year-old young man was determined to go to the platform to protect Vietnam's seas with the desire to contribute to protecting the Fatherland.

Major Bui Xuan Ngoc, DKI/9 platform - Photo: Van Ha

As for Captain Hoang Ngoc Phuong, DKI/21 platform, working at the platform is not only an honor for him but also for his family. His children are very proud to have their father working on a remote island. During traditional days such as the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and Vietnam Sea and Island Week, the school congratulated, encouraged, and cared for them, making them very excited and showing off to their father.

"When I heard those words from my child, I felt happy and told myself that I would have to try harder to complete the mission" - Captain Hoang Ngoc Phuong shared.

Proud to be a part of the homeland sea and islands

For Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Duc, Battery Captain, DKI/21 Platform, before joining the army, he wanted to dedicate himself to the military for a long time. Duc believes that youth is about dedication, doing anything, going anywhere when the Fatherland needs it. Therefore, celebrating Tet on the platform, although far from his family and children, Duc always tries to complete his mission, holding his gun firmly to protect the southern sea of ​​the Fatherland.

Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Duc, Battery Commander, DKI/21 Platform - Photo: Van Ha

"Whether it's on the sea or on the remote border, it's fine, as long as it protects the homeland. I feel proud to be a part of the homeland, a part of the homeland's sea and islands" - Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Duc expressed.

Having worked at the DKI/21 platform for nearly a year, when spring comes, Captain Le Xuan Thuat feels excited, nervous, and emotional because this is also the first time celebrating Tet at the platform. Happy to welcome the delegation to visit and wish them a happy new year, he said: "I am very happy because we have not been in contact with people on the mainland for a long time."

Sending a message to the mainland, Senior Lieutenant Le Xuan Quy, Political Commissar of DKI/21 Platform, emphasized: "We are proud to be on duty at the outpost of the Fatherland's sovereignty. Everyone can rest assured, we are always here to protect our homeland's sea and islands with the motto "as long as there are people, there will be platforms" to ensure peace for the people."

( To be continued)

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/mua-xuan-tren-vung-bien-tien-tieu-bai-3-thanh-dong-giu-vung-chu-quyen-bien-gioi-bien.html