On the first day of the new year 2025, Truong Sa 21 ship left Economic - Defense Port 129 in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, bringing a working delegation of the Naval Region 2 Command and dozens of journalists and reporters to the DK1 platform. All the journalists present on this trip were happy and eager for the journey to the sacred islands and continental shelf of the Fatherland. They looked forward to DK1 - a fortress on the sea with soldiers facing many difficulties and challenges in the midst of the waves.
In the evening of the day the ship left the port, the weather at sea began to rain. The waves pounded the ship violently. Many people began to feel seasick, their faces pale, their bodies nauseous, always in a state of unsteadiness and dizziness. That feeling was an unforgettable experience for journalist Dieu Huong - Quang Binh Newspaper (now Quang Binh Radio and Television). “The small ship swayed in the middle of the ocean. On the first night on the ship, the waves hit hard, water splashed through the window cracks, flooding into the room, soaking the blankets and mats. Every meal was also a challenge when we couldn’t sit still, the food tray slid with each rocking of the ship. Some colleagues were so tired that they had to lie flat on the floor of the ship; every time they sat up, they felt like falling, the kitchen staff had to bring porridge and rice balls to the place,” journalist Dieu Huong recounted.
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| Truong Sa 21 ship approaches DK1/17 platform. |
On the journey against the waves to DK1, there were reporters and journalists who felt seasick throughout the 16-day voyage. However, when the first platform in the new journey appeared like a small dot in the middle of the ocean, everyone was happy, moved, radiant and forgot all their fatigue. During that journey, each journalist not only worked, but also had special experiences to love life more, understand more about the social responsibility of writers. Coming to DK1, journalists overcame the limitations of space, time and harsh conditions to bring information and images of the sea and sky of the Fatherland and the life at the forefront of the waves and winds of the platform soldiers. According to journalist Dieu Huong, the trip that not many journalists are honored to have helped young reporters mature. They understand that journalism is not just about the halo, but also about moments of dedication, facing challenges to tell ordinary but very great stories.
After three days and two nights at sea, the DK1 platform appeared amidst the vast waves. At this moment, all the journalists in the group had indescribable emotions, full of emotion and pride. Above all, they felt the sacred shape of the Fatherland. Many people were silent for a moment when they reached the DK1/9 platform painted in red and yellow of the national flag, standing firmly in the middle of the ocean. And what could be more beautiful than the image of the national flag flying on the roof of the platform in the middle of the vast sea and sky.
In the following days, the waves were so big and the wind was so strong that we could not visit the rig. The whole group and the soldiers connected via walkie-talkie, exchanging songs and best wishes. That was enough to connect the feelings between the mainland and those who guarded the sea and sky of our homeland. The lyrics of the soldiers on the rig touched the hearts of writers: "In the middle of the vast sea and sky/ Overcoming the storm/ Protecting our homeland's sea and islands/ Together we sing a song/ Protecting the spring of our homeland...".
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| Reporters climbed ropes to approach the rig. |
Having read many articles and watched many films about the DK1 platform, only journalists who were lucky enough to visit the DK1 platform like us could fully understand the hardships and dangers that naval officers and soldiers had to face, the silent sacrifices, and the iron determination of the marine soldiers to maintain the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland... Arriving at a place where "above is the sky, below is the water", journalists also feel smaller. The hardships on the voyage of less than 20 days are nothing when witnessing the soldiers on the platform steadfastly overcoming the harsh weather, the lack of clean water, green vegetables, and the lack of warmth from the mainland. They always hold their guns firmly for the peace of the Fatherland and the People.
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| Journalists and reporters working on DK1/9 platform. |
The event that left a deep impression on us during our journey to DK1 platform was the Memorial Ceremony for the martyrs of DK1 platform who sacrificed their lives while performing the task of affirming and protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland in the waters of the southern continental shelf. The memorial ceremony was held at DK1/18 platform area on the full moon day of the 12th lunar month of the year of Giap Thin. Journalist Hai Yen - Dong Nai Newspaper recounted: The previous days had been full of big waves and strong winds. But that day, the sky was clear, the sun was beautiful, the sea was gentle. The space was silent, everyone listened attentively to each word of the speech, their hearts choked with emotion, remembering the soldiers who heroically sacrificed, remaining at sea for the peace and integrity of the sovereignty of the sea, islands, and continental shelf of the Fatherland. At that time, the Political Commissar of Truong Sa 21 gave her a jar containing meticulously folded crane wings for everyone to release into the sea, carrying the wish for peace, as a prayer, a heartfelt gratitude to those who sacrificed themselves for the Fatherland. Looking at the tray of offerings, the crane wings and the yellow chrysanthemums bobbing on the waves, many people's eyes turned red... "Those moments made us love the sea, the sky and every inch of our homeland even more, and love the image of the Vietnamese navy soldiers even more", journalist Hai Yen shared.
Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nha-gian-dk1-trong-trai-tim-nguoi-lam-bao-70e0392/
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