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| Working with colleagues in the southwest sea-and-islands of the nation |
Divine call
"To go or not to go?" Many people put forth this question when I was "standing in front of” the mission trip to the sea and islands, when the Provincial People's Committee organized a patrol and control at sea, grasping the situation related to national defense and security and illegal exploitation activities, illegal fishing, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by the end of May 2023.
The concern seems "reasonable" to a vulnerable female journalist. The patrol on the internal waters managed by Thua Thien Hue province, the adjacent sea area between Thua Thien Hue province and Quang Tri province and the contiguous sea between Thua Thien Hue province and Danang City, may meet with storms, seasickness or unforeseen health problems.
I remember about half a year ago, I was assigned to a mission under the 3rd Naval Region Mission to patrol the sea; visited, gave gifts to and exchanged New Year's wishes with officials, soldiers and people of Con Co island district (Quang Tri province) and Ly Son Island district (Quang Ngai province). The ship had just left the military port for a few hours when the sea was rough. Most of the members of the mission, including dozens of officials from provinces, cities and reporters in all regions, were struggling with seasickness.
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| Provincial leaders and members of the mission encouraging fishermen at sea |
When the ship anchored far away, it was very difficult to get off the big ship and get on the small boat to reach Con Co island. The side of the ship is constantly being pushed and bobbed up and down by the big waves, which is a danger to those who are unfamiliar with the waves, because if they missed the step, they would fall into the ferocious waves.
Although the "fence" of the fisheries surveillance force and the navy on the side of the two ships supported and ensured safety, there was an elderly male officer who was still frantic after 30 minutes, sweating in the cold wind. Everyone was so nervous, so tense that they forgot to breathe. When he successfully performed the "jump", everyone involuntarily clapped and cheered.
It was very emotional when that old officer was determined to win over himself, over his fear, because one of the important missions of the trip was to bring the love of the land to the soldiers and people on the island so that the spring in the remote island is warmed by the love from the land. Journalists had to go to the end, so as not to miss the "small" moments but true to life that move people's hearts; the moments that are precious emotions, from observing, listening, feeling and settling with the heart.
Having also received the mission of carrying out a 7-day mission trip on the sea and the Southwest Island route, I and my colleagues in all parts of the country "met" a wealth of information and had many emotions about the lives of officers and soldiers of the navy and border guard forces who are firmly holding guns day and night guarding the islands - outposts; guarding the skies and seas of the Fatherland. Especially, there are ships, soldiers who have been at sea for months, patrolling the sea, protecting fishermen who go out to the sea to catch fish.
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| Along the patrol route |
In order to perform excellently, to preserve and protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands, the soldiers defied hardships, separated from their parents, wife and children, family, and sacrificed their own happiness. There are heroes and martyrs who have been forever lying in the sea. Therefore, the sea and islands of the Fatherland are always a sacred call. It is an honor to work in the sea-and-islands; truthfully conveying information and emotions from the sea and from the frontline of the nation is the mission and responsibility of the writer. No matter how difficult it is, never give in.
Beautiful moments
On May 25, departing from the port of Squadron 2 (Thuan An ward, Hue city), a fleet of 3 patrol boats, led by Mr. Hoang Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and S. L. Colonel Hoang Minh Hung, The Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff of the Provincial Border Guard commanded and led the inter-sectoral mission force including leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee, representatives of departments, branches and People's Committees of districts and Hue city, Huong Tra, Huong Thuy Town Party Committees, District Party Committees of Nam Dong, A Luoi, etc., on the patrol road.
On the sea about 10 nautical miles from Thuan An estuary, the mission conducted inspection and control for the fishing boat TTH-96868, captained by Nguyen Van Hong, fisherman, and his friends in the fishing process. Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Hoang Hai Minh kindly advised and encouraged the fishermen to abide by the regulations in the process of sticking to the sea, reaching out to sea for production and economic development. On the weather-beaten faces of the fishermen, there is emotional joy when receiving gifts right at sea. This is the way leaders and people of the whole province send their hearts and feelings to those who are " living milestones" in the middle of the sea, join hands to maintain the sovereignty of the sea and islands.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Minh Hung, Colonel Dang Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Border Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hai, Captain of Squadron 2 with teammates and fishermen, shared a feeling of sacred respect on the moment of giving and receiving the national flag in the sound of waves crashing on the sides of the ship. Before the image of a fisherman holding the flag on his chest, I was silent and moved to remember 64 officers and soldiers who heroically sacrificed themselves to protect the country's flag on the sea and islands of the homeland, during the Gac Ma battle in 1988.
Over the past time, tens of thousands of national flags have been awarded by the Provincial Border Guard, in coordination with forces, organizations, unions and local authorities, for fishermen to carry to the sea the affirmation and pride in the sovereignty of the sea and sacred islands.
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| The fleet of patrol boats preparing to dock at Con Co island |
Along the patrol route, the mission visited Con Co island, gave gifts and exchanged talks at the Navy Region 3 Command. Mr. Hoang Hai Minh and Mr. Dang Ngoc Tran, Standing Commissioner, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Internal Affairs Department, sent their warm feelings to the Border Guards of Con Co Island and the Marines of Region 3 when they have defied time, space and danger to protect fishermen in general, protect fishermen in Thua Thien Hue in their fishing process.
Like the Provincial Border Guard, those who carry out the patrol today, are continuing the task of protecting the sovereignty of the border, sea and island; continue the task of protecting fishermen. As a journalist, I will forever keep the moment when 9 fishermen in Thuan An were shipwrecked in the dark, panicking in the waves, were rescued by the Border Guard; safely brought to shore.
The tight hug and happy tears of the fisherman couple when they meet again; the fisherman's tight hand holding with S. L. Colonel Hoang Minh Hung who was waiting for the fisherman in distress to return; the emaciated but "relieved" face of Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hai who directly commanded, and with his teammates, crossed the bad waves in the night and successfully saved 9 fishermen, are the beautiful moments which the journalist itself is proud to convey and spread them into life.