Last post: Truong Sa forever in my heart

DK1-17 platform (Phuc Tan). Photo: TRONG HUY

Unforgettable moments

The fifth day of the trip began with the rare emerald green water of the sea around the Da Tay island cluster. Standing from Da Tay C, one can clearly observe the two “brother” islands, Da Tay A and Da Tay B, three entities that form a solid tripod of Vietnam in the vast East Sea.

Soldier Tran Phan Quoc Thang, 21 years old, is one of three soldiers from Ho Chi Minh City on duty on the island. Coming from a family with three generations of soldiers, from his grandfather who was a veteran of the resistance war against the French, to his father and brother who both served in the army, Thang is the fourth to follow in his footsteps, standing firmly at the forefront. “When I heard from my family that the city was bustling with preparations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, I felt like I had been given more motivation to complete my mission well, a source of pride for my family and the young generation today,” Thang confided.

The delegation arrived at Truong Sa Lon Island, the administrative and political center of Truong Sa island district. Here, the delegation offered incense at Truong Sa Pagoda, the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial House and the monument to heroic martyrs. The solemn atmosphere of the sacred stops combined with the ringing of the temple bells seemed to soften the harsh sunlight on the remote island. In the island's hall, the commander, on behalf of the officers, soldiers and people on the island, briefly reported on the results of the mission and thanked the delegation for bringing their feelings from the mainland to visit. The tradition of "solidarity, unity and steadfastness in ideals" was emphasized in the island commander's speech, as a firm commitment to the Fatherland: "No matter the circumstances, the officers, soldiers and people on the island are determined to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the country."

This season, Truong Sa has little rain, but the green color covering the island makes everyone understand that the program "greening Truong Sa" has kindled hope, spreading life to the forefront. The lyrics of the song "Truong Sa Rain" resonate somewhere in everyone's memory: "Rain go, rain go, small island waiting for rain...". That same evening, the island yard was bustling with a friendly cultural exchange program between the working group and the soldiers and people on the island. The homegrown but emotional performances were a blend of singing from the mainland and the vibrant life on the island. The laughter, applause and sparkling eyes in the night connected hundreds of hearts into a solid block.

In particular, the farewell ceremony on the Truong Sa big pier was a touching moment for many people. More than 200 delegates from the localities pressed towards the ship's side, waving to the long lines of soldiers and civilians who were saying goodbye. Both sides sang together "As if Uncle Ho was here on the day of great victory", "The whole country for Truong Sa - Truong Sa for the whole country", no words could describe the emotions at that moment. The waving hands continued until the ship disappeared. Eyes followed forever. No one said it, but everyone understood: Truong Sa had remained in everyone's heart. And from that moment, the Truong Sa sea voyage became a part of everyone's consciousness, the sacred call forever resounding in their hearts.

At 5:00 a.m., the ship anchored next to the DK1-17 Phuc Tan platform. The sea was calm and the sky was clear. This was a rare stroke of luck, because not every working group had favorable weather conditions to get to the platform. From afar, the DK1 project appeared like a proud landmark in the middle of the ocean. Nearly 40 meters high, standing firm in the sea breeze, DK1-17 is one of the modern service - science - technology stations, contributing to affirming Vietnam's sovereignty on the southern continental shelf. Brigade 125, Naval Region 2 is the unit currently on duty here. In addition to the task of guarding and protecting sovereignty, the soldiers also have to face a harsh living environment. However, they still maintain a scientific lifestyle, creating the feeling of a "house on the sea". The special impression for the delegates who first went to the platform was the "fish pond in the middle of the ocean", which is actually a school of fish that often surrounds the base of the platform every time the soldiers drop rice. Jokingly called “Uncle Ho’s Fish Pond”, it is a vivid image, evoking the close, warm life in the middle of the vast ocean. The beds of Malabar spinach and mustard greens on the rig are surprisingly green. That is not simply a matter of technique, but also a spirit of overcoming difficulties, creativity, and high responsibility for each meal, each rhythm of life in the middle of the ocean.

Closing the journey, opening up faith

Ship KN 390 began its journey back to the mainland. The sea was level 6. The sudden “potholes”, as seafarers call the strong waves, made many people dizzy, but they were amazed because they got to experience the full force of the ocean wind and waves.

In the ship's cabin, many people quietly reviewed the photos taken at Song Tu Tay, Co Lin, Truong Sa, and DK1 platform. The faces of soldiers, the smiles of children on the island, the green color of the banyan trees, the sovereignty markers... all became part of their memories. Rear Admiral Nguyen Thien Quan, Head of the delegation, said jokingly: "The whole journey was calm, until the return trip, there were a few waves, so that the delegates could fully see the value of each voyage. The sea is not only blue, it also has wind, is also undulating, and is full of challenges, just like the love for the Fatherland, which is not only sweet, but also requires courage to preserve."

In the news “The Sea Calls Truong Sa” broadcast from ship KN390, the announcer emphasized: “The voyage has ended, but Truong Sa will always be in everyone’s heart”. And that was also the common feeling of all delegates in the delegation. The journey is not to end, but to start another journey: a journey to spread the fire, a journey to tell stories, a journey to protect the most sacred things of the country.

In the middle of the ocean, we encounter living milestones such as soldiers, small houses on remote islands, vegetable plots, lighthouses, and handfuls of soil rooted in the waves. Truong Sa is not only a destination, but also a fulcrum for the country to reach out to the ocean with steadfast faith.

Letter to Truong Sa
Among the gifts that the delegation of Da Nang city sent to beloved Truong Sa during the visit and gift-giving to the soldiers and people on the islands of Truong Sa archipelago and DK1-17 (Phuc Tan) Platform, I especially paid attention to hundreds of letters from students of Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted in Da Nang. The letters were filled with precious emotions, admiration and pride for the children of Vietnam who are guarding the sea day and night.
“From the beloved mainland, I send you these small lines, with all my respect and sincere feelings. Although we have never met, in my heart, you are always the most beautiful image, the resilient soldiers, silently preserving peace for the Fatherland in the vast ocean”. Those are the lines of the letter from Dang Tran Phuong Linh, a student of class 10A3 of Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted, sent to the soldiers of Truong Sa. The letter reads: “The sea and islands where you stand guard, may be far away in distance, but have never been far away in the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people... I and those on the mainland always look to you with all our pride and deep gratitude”.
A representative of class 11D1 of Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted wrote: “From the beloved mainland, where life is still bustling every day, our hearts never stop turning towards the sea and distant islands, where you are bravely carrying out your duties. We know that, at the forefront of the waves and winds, your lives and duties face countless hardships and challenges that are perhaps hard to imagine on the mainland... I am proud of the “steel fortresses” in the middle of the ocean; proud of your iron will, your immortal spirit of “as long as there are people, there will be islands”.
These are two of hundreds of letters from students of Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted sent to Truong Sa soldiers on our voyage. Mr. Le Trung Kien, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of Son Tra District Party Committee, said that upon hearing that the Son Tra District delegation would be participating in the voyage to Truong Sa, students of Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted wrote letters to soldiers, cadres and people in beloved Truong Sa that night. All of their feelings were expressed in each word and sentence of poetry, with sincerity, admiration, respect and admiration.
Through each page of the letter, it seems that the children have grown up enough to deeply feel the life and mission of the marine soldiers. That is the connecting thread of faith, of national pride that is being forged every day, passed down through each generation, creating a continuous, immortal flow from the time our ancestors founded the country until now.

TRONG HUY

Source: https://baodanang.vn/xa-hoi/202505/hanh-trinh-den-truong-sa-bai-cuoi-truong-sa-mai-mai-trong-tim-4006190/