Bright soldier on the fishing grounds

(Baonghean) - Born from the sea and raised thanks to the sea; then after joining the army and completing their duty as soldiers, they bravely return to the sea to make a living, and are living "milestones" in the middle of the ocean, contributing to maintaining the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's territorial waters.

A bumper catch of Quynh Luu fishermen.

Iron discipline on the ships of the veterans

During a recent assignment, we met again with Mr. Dang Ngoc Binh - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district, who helped us get on a boat to go out to sea with the fishermen a year ago. During this meeting, Mr. Binh excitedly said that the owner of the boat from last year had now built a new, larger boat. He then added that all 7 coastal communes of Quynh Luu district now have a maritime militia team. Not only that, the district has also established a maritime militia platoon in Son Hai commune, consisting entirely of former naval conscripts.

When Mr. Binh mentioned the navy soldiers, it reminded us of the fishing boat NA 90567 TS of the fishermen of Quynh Long commune (Quynh Luu) that we went out to sea with last year. On that trip, there were 17 crew members, of which 4 were former soldiers. They all returned from serving in the navy.

The ship's captain, Nguyen Van Dinh, also performed military service in the navy from 1992 to 1995, serving on ship HQ 683, Brigade 161, Naval Region 3.

On board the ship is also crew member Tran Ngoc Thanh, who also served for 3 years at Battalion 355, Naval Region 3. Following in the footsteps of their seniors, crew members Tran Dat (born in 1989) and Tran Hai Long (born in 1986) also served for 3 years in the navy and were discharged and returned home in 2014.

Leaving the army to return to their hometown, they stick to the sea to become living landmarks affirming the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

“Most of us coastal boys from the age of 11 or 12 followed our fathers and brothers to the sea to earn a living. So, storms are normal for us, so every year, young men from my hometown are selected to join the navy to protect the sovereignty of the country’s sea and islands.

Born with the salty taste of the sea, growing up thanks to the sea, so after leaving the army we returned to the sea. But after leaving the army, we understood more about the duty and responsibility of a fisherman who used to be a soldier to protect the sea and islands of the country, which is to protect the sovereignty that our ancestors built" - said crew member Tran Ngoc Thanh of the NA 90567 TS ship.

One thing we saw during our days on the boat with the fishermen was discipline. Led by a former navy man, the discipline on the boat was strict, but not rigid.

Crew members work on the ship according to their assigned tasks without being reminded. The crew members' eating and sleeping areas are specifically assigned and are forbidden to be violated. On the ship, there are private compartments for crew members, which are also considered private corners, so no one is allowed to violate them without permission. All activities must strictly follow the commander on the ship, the captain.

“My days in the army taught me discipline. Life in the vast ocean is full of uncertainties, so discipline and a high team spirit are needed. I apply this for everyone to follow, but not too rigidly so that the crew members can feel comfortable after tiring working hours. Just so that everyone on board can better understand discipline and solidarity to help each other in work, life and hardships,” shared the captain of the NA 90567 ship, Dr. Tran Van Dinh.

Because the people are mainly fishermen and have been accustomed to life at sea since childhood, every year, Quynh Long commune has dozens of young men enlisting to serve in the navy. Among them, many have sacrificed their lives while performing the task of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

A typical example is the case of martyr Tran Van Minh who died in the Gac Ma naval battle in 1988 in the Truong Sa archipelago.

Unity in the ocean

Currently, most of the fishing boats in Quynh Luu district have people who have returned from the army, and many are party members, creating a high level of solidarity and cohesion among the boats going out to sea.

Captain Nguyen Van Dinh said he has four other ships in the fishing group. Whenever the ships catch a lot of fish in a fishing ground, they will notify each other to coordinate the exploitation.

Veteran, Captain Nguyen Van Dinh on a voyage at sea.

Or whenever there is a distress signal, the ships in the same group will quickly come to the rescue. “Most ships have people who have returned from military service, so that makes the bond even stronger. Once, a crew member had appendicitis just a few days after a friend's ship had left for sea, right when my ship was returning to port, so we ran over to pick up the crew member and take him to shore for emergency treatment so that the crew could continue fishing,” said Captain Dinh.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Binh - Vice Chairman of Quynh Luu District People's Committee said: "Almost all ships have formed groups of 4-6 ships to support each other at sea. In the context of many fluctuations at sea, the solidarity of veterans also helps them to be more confident in staying at sea. Also for that purpose, all 7 coastal communes of Quynh Luu district have militia and self-defense squads.

In 2014, Quynh Luu district also established a militia platoon in Son Hai commune. This platoon is trained and periodically rehearsed to be ready to support, rescue, and help fishing boats in distress at sea.

That spirit of veterans is the support for the younger generation to follow. On a fishing trip, we met Ho Van Toan (born in 1998, a student at Nguyen Duc Mau High School, Quynh Luu), whose father passed away when he was 11 years old. Taking advantage of the holidays, he asked to follow his brothers and uncles to go fishing at sea to earn money for his studies and pursue his dream of becoming a naval officer.

That is how I come to the sea, connect with my homeland's sea, and show my responsibility as a young citizen...

Xuan Hoa