Lesson 2: Wishing Happy New Year through poems and songs
After nearly a day at sea, the DK1/16 platform, the first platform on the voyage, finally appeared before our eyes. From a distance, the platform looked like a solitary iron cage surrounded by vast waves. The entire group rushed to the ship's railing, gazing towards the platform. Captain Tran Quang Dong dropped anchor about 70 meters from the platform. The reporters stood anxiously, waiting to board. Team leader To Van Thu cautiously looked at the waves, then turned and said, "With waves this big, you can't go up. The soldiers have been trained to withstand them."
Transfer the Tet gifts down to the boat.
Then the goods began to be transferred to the boat. Each gift package was wrapped in plastic bags to prevent water damage. The white-crested waves crashed in, causing the boat to rock and sway. At times, the waves would push the boat underwater, only for it to resurface after a long while. Standing on the boat, the members of the delegation looked on with concern and admiration for the spirit and hard work of the men. Finally, the boat was full of goods, and it sped towards the offshore platform, cutting through the waves. The further it went, the boat resembled a leaf, sometimes disappearing beneath the high waves, then reappearing powerfully. The distance was only about 70 meters, but it took more than 15 minutes for the boat to reach the platform.
Above the platform, a rope had been lowered. The most difficult task now was securing the boat so that the goods could be transported up. A soldier was tasked with threading the rope through the iron bar at the base of the platform. This task, seemingly simple on shore, proved incredibly challenging at sea. A misstep could easily lead to an accident. Once the boat was secured, the goods were hooked and pulled up. This continued until the platform had received all the gifts, at which point the boat returned, completing its mission of delivering Tet gifts via rope to the platform.
On the second day, the delegation began transferring supplies to the DK1/17 platform. Due to the rough seas, they were unable to reach the platform directly, so they had to send New Year greetings to the officers and soldiers stationed there via radio. Lieutenant Colonel Le Dinh Viet, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of Region B, explained: "Sending New Year greetings via radio means that the delegation would send New Year wishes to the officers and soldiers on the platform through the radio. Then the platform would thank them and send New Year greetings in return." It seemed like this task would be quick and simple, but only by witnessing it firsthand could one truly appreciate the touching atmosphere and the sincere feelings of the delegation members and the platform's personnel.
First, Colonel To Van Thu will read, on behalf of the entire delegation, the New Year's greetings letter from the Command of Region B to the officers and soldiers serving on the offshore platforms. "On the occasion of the beginning of the Lunar New Year of Quy Ty, the Party Committee and the Command of Region 2 of the Navy affectionately send their warmest greetings and best wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year to all officers, professional soldiers, defense workers, and enlisted personnel…"
Besides the hardships and shortages of vegetables and fresh water, the soldiers on the DK1/17 platform also lack the warmth of female companionship. Understanding their feelings, Lieutenant Colonel Viet invited female reporters to speak with them. Ms. Thanh Thuy from Hanoi Moi Newspaper, on behalf of the reporters, extended New Year greetings to the officers and soldiers on the DK1/17 platform. With trembling hands holding the walkie-talkie, Ms. Thuy softly said: “On behalf of the people of Hanoi, I wish you all a happy New Year and unwavering resolve to defend the southern continental shelf of our Fatherland.” Then, reporter Thu Thuy sang the song “Silent Hanoi Night.” The entire delegation fell silent, tears rolling down her cheeks. The song seemed to connect the delegation with the soldiers on the platform. Although we couldn’t see their faces, we could still feel their joy and happiness. Because it is the voice of their homeland, the home front, the place they always turn to whenever they feel lonely.
Next, reporter Thu Phuong from Tuoi Tre Thu Do newspaper also read the poem "The Sea and You" as a gift to the naval soldiers, filled with love and longing: "...I leave, carrying sweet memories / With all the yearning for a distant life / Memories with you will be a fire / Burning and igniting within me / I leave, missing the past days so much / Missing the sea, missing you with a thousand memories / The poem I wrote is still unfinished / Leaving behind for you the overflowing memories...". These are hastily written verses, but they contain the deep feelings of the reporter for the naval soldier, the sacred and enduring love of the home front for the front lines.
In response to the delegation's sentiments, Mr. Truong Quyet Thang, political officer of the DK1/17 platform, on behalf of all officers and soldiers on the platform, expressed gratitude to the delegation for braving the waves to bring the warmth of the mainland to the platform. Mr. Thang then promised to "celebrate the New Year happily with the motto of enjoying the new year without forgetting our duties."
Leaving DK1/17 to continue our journey to other offshore platforms, the song "Springtime at DK" sung by the officers and soldiers for the delegation still echoed in our ears: "Storms and waves, let the storms be, the soldiers of my offshore platform are there. Watching and guarding, the soldiers of the offshore platform fear no storm."
Pham Bang - (Email from DK1)