He used to be a soldier of DK1/15 Platform (DK1 Battalion, Naval Region 2), then participated in parades and marches from 2024 to present with the positions of block member, platoon leader, and teacher of the Navy officer block. In each mission, Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh always tried, made efforts, united with his teammates to overcome difficulties, and completed the mission well.

Growing up on the waves

Early morning at the naval port of Naval Region 2, the ships resounded with proud port horns, preparing to take officers and soldiers across the waves to carry out missions on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland. More than 10 years have passed, but Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh still remembers the emotions of that day. Excitement and anxiety, determination and nostalgia, those emotions were intertwined in the young soldier's mind. Because that was the first time Comrade Manh had been away from home for a long time, to a place he had only known through books, newspapers and stories of previous generations of naval officers and soldiers. The task ahead was very honorable and proud, Comrade Manh really wanted to dedicate himself and contribute his youth to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland. But that task was also very difficult, challenging his will, spirit and physical strength. Countless worries and concerns followed Comrade Manh as he sailed the waves away from his beloved mainland.

That day, the sea "welcomed" Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh with fierce waves, causing the ship to shake and tilt. However, that was not the biggest challenge for comrade Manh. After many days of getting used to the fierce waves, he arrived at DK1/15 Platform when Typhoon Haiyan entered Vietnam's waters.

Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh guides the Navy officers in training.

Super typhoon DK1/15 brought rains that covered the sky, waves rose in waves covering the rig. Night fell, the wind blew harder, the rig swayed like a hammock in a fierce storm. In the middle of the ocean, comrade Manh and his staff, employees, and soldiers fought against nature, determined to stay in their positions.

After the storm passed, Manh and the officers, staff and soldiers of the DK 1/15 Platform still stood firm and bravely in the middle of the ocean. The lives of the young men in their eighteens and twenties at that time revolved around the duty of being on guard duty and reporting to the command post on the mainland. In their free time, they watched TV or talked about family matters. In the afternoon, they often watched the sunset and the sun setting on the mainland. The sea was as calm as a sheet of paper. The storm and the fierce waves could not defeat the will and determination of comrade Manh and the officers, staff and soldiers in the unit. Experiencing the fragile boundary between life and death only further tempered Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh's courage.

After completing his mission on the rig, on his way back to his hometown in Quang Yen ward, Quang Ninh province, Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh heard that his father had an accident while working, with a bad prognosis. He only managed to return when his father was about to take his last breath, then had to witness his father passing away on the hospital bed. Facing such a huge loss, the young man felt choked up.

Although extremely sad, with the forged character, comrade Manh continued to try to overcome, study and strive to become a naval officer, and was assigned to work at Brigade 147.

Efforts for the mission of parade and march

When Comrade Manh returned to work at Brigade 147, the unit was also recruiting people to participate in the parade in the 70th Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 / May 7, 2024). With a handsome face, good physique and health, Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh was honored to be selected into the Navy officer training team.

Parade practice was always serious and harsh, many times comrade Manh got sick, sometimes with a fever of 40 degrees Celsius. But with a high determination, Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh still tried hard to practice. Because he understood clearly, if just one person was absent, it would greatly affect the mass practice and coordination techniques within the mass. With the spirit of overcoming the sun, overcoming the rain, promoting responsibility, comrade Manh and his teammates successfully completed the task of marching and marching in Dien Bien.

Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh with children in Hanoi.

Trusted by his superiors, when establishing a management framework and training the Navy officer block in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 / April 30, 2025), Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh was assigned to be the platoon leader. In his new position, Manh always understands and shares the difficulties of the platoon members, because he himself has experienced them. On the journey from North to South, Manh and his teammates always create sympathy with the people, contributing to the success of the celebration.

Continuing to participate in the parade and marching practice during the 80th Anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, the Navy officer was assigned to be a training instructor for the marching group. Regardless of the task, Manh always gave his all, imparted his experience, and guided the marching group to complete their tasks well.

The great national celebration has ended successfully. In that impressive success, Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh and his teammates contributed. With the fortitude that has been tempered, the Navy officer and his teammates will continue to promote the achievements, strive to complete the assigned tasks well, reach new heights, and contribute to building a strong and comprehensive unit.

Article and photos : TRAN DO THANH HUONG

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/tu-chien-si-nha-gian-den-thay-giao-dieu-binh-dieu-hanh-844385