He was 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 complete the mission well.

Growing up on the waves

Early morning at the naval port of Naval Region 2, the ships resounded with proud port sirens, 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, longing, those emotions were intertwined in the young soldier's mind. Because that was the first time Comrade Manh was away from home for a long time, to a place he only knew 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. Many 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 at the same time that Typhoon Haiyan entered Vietnam's waters.

Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh guides the block members to practice as Navy officers.

Super typhoon DK1/15 brought rains that covered the sky, waves rose in waves covering the rig. Night fell, the wind blew stronger, 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 at 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, the sun setting on the mainland. The sea surface was as calm as a sheet. 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 bravery.

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. Only returning in time when his father was about to take his last breath and then having to witness his father pass away on the hospital bed, facing such a great 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 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 body 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 the 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 parade and marching mission 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 in the 80th Anniversary of August Revolution and National Day September 2, the Navy officer was assigned to be a training instructor for the walking block. No matter what the task, Manh always devoted himself, imparted his experience, and guided the group members to complete their tasks well.

The great national celebration has ended with great success. In that impressive success, there was a contribution from Lieutenant Dinh Van Manh and his teammates. With the forged mettle, the Navy officer and his teammates will continue to promote the achievements, strive to complete the assigned tasks, 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