Gac Ma - an immortal epic

Thirty-eight years after the Gac Ma incident, the memory of the sacrifice of 64 Vietnamese Navy officers and soldiers remains deeply etched in the minds of many, becoming a symbol of indomitable spirit.

On the morning of March 14th, at the Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial Area in Cam Lam commune, Khanh Hoa province, a ceremony was held to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the heroic sacrifice of 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy in the Gac Ma incident of 1988 (March 14, 1988 - March 14, 2026). Many delegations, officials, soldiers, and citizens from all over the country came to offer incense and flowers in remembrance.

Unforgettable memories

According to the Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial Management Board, in just the morning, 15 delegations registered to offer incense and flowers, totaling over 1,200 people, not including visiting delegations. These included delegations from the 4th Naval Region, armed forces, People's Committees of communes and wards, organizations, schools in Khanh Hoa province, and a large number of people from across the country.

In a solemn atmosphere, groups of people silently laid wreaths and lit incense before the monument "Those Who Lie Beyond the Horizon." The gentle sound of the waves mingled with the moment of silence, making the space even more tranquil. Many could not hide their emotions as they recalled the tragic event that has gone down in the nation's history.

Young officers and soldiers of the 4th Naval Region attended the ceremony to pay respects and offer incense to the heroic martyrs.

At the ceremony, delegates recalled the tragic events of March 14, 1988, at Gac Ma Reef in the Spratly Islands. At that time, forces from the 146th Naval Brigade and the 83rd Naval Engineering Regiment were carrying out construction and defense duties on the island when they were attacked by Chinese troops. In that life-or-death moment, the Vietnamese naval soldiers formed an "immortal circle" to protect the national flag. They stood in a circle around the flagpole, determined not to retreat in the face of the enemy's gunfire.

Before his sacrifice, Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong shouted: "I would rather die than lose the island. Let my blood stain the traditional flag of the Navy." That oath has become a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the soldiers defending the island.

The attack resulted in the heroic sacrifice of 64 officers and soldiers who bravely defended the island. Of those, 56 officers and soldiers still lie buried in the open sea. Their sacrifice not only affirmed the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's maritime territories but also contributed to maintaining peace for the country's development today.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Tung, former President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, emotionally shared that the remains of many martyrs still lie at sea, while their families long for the day they can bring them back to their homeland.

"Red Address" of the revolution

The Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial Area is not only a place to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs but also a "living museum" of the history of protecting the nation's maritime sovereignty. It is also a "red address" for educating the younger generation about patriotic traditions.

Ms. Tran Thi Minh Trang, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Cam Ranh Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, clasped her hands and gazed intently at the memorial monument, her eyes reddening. As she lit incense to commemorate the martyrs, she felt a profound sense of sacredness and deep gratitude towards those who fell for independence.

Students in Khanh Hoa province offered incense to commemorate the 64 heroic martyrs at the Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial Area.

"Looking at the wreaths, the incense sticks, and listening to the stories of the sacrifices of these heroes, I understand even more deeply the value of peace," said Ms. Trang.

Among the crowds offering incense and flowers were many trade union members, students, and schoolchildren. The sacrifices at Gac Ma serve as a reminder of responsibility and as motivation for today's generation to live, work, and contribute better to their homeland and country.

Among the crowds were also naval officers and soldiers continuing the mission of protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland. Lieutenant Colonel Duong Trong Ha, Secretary of the Youth Union of the 196th Naval Regiment, affirmed that for the officers and soldiers of the unit, the memorial site is a very meaningful place for educating them about traditions. "Every time we come here, we feel more proud and determined to successfully complete all assigned tasks, contributing to the firm protection of the Fatherland's maritime sovereignty," Lieutenant Colonel Trong Ha shared.

Thirty-eight years have passed since March 14, 1988, yet the memory of the Gac Ma incident remains deeply etched in the minds of many Vietnamese people. The sacrifice of 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy has become an immortal epic of patriotism and unwavering determination to protect maritime sovereignty.

Former President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Dang Ngoc Tung, said that each incense stick lit at the Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial is not only a tribute to those who fell, but also a reminder to present and future generations of their responsibility to preserve and protect every inch of the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Spreading the spirit of patriotism.

The Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial Area was built on a plot of land exceeding 25,000 m², with phase 1 inaugurated in 2017 and managed by the Khanh Hoa Provincial Confederation of Labor under the direction of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

A unique feature of the memorial is the exhibition hall built deep beneath the sands of Cam Ranh Bay, which houses 156 documents about the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands, Vietnam's seas and islands, and the Gac Ma soldiers. Among them are 31 mementos donated by the families of the heroic martyrs.

According to the Memorial Site Management Board, since its opening, the site has welcomed approximately 3,600 groups with nearly 650,000 visitors from all over the country who came to offer incense and visit. Many groups have chosen this location to hold ceremonies for admitting new party members, honoring students, officials, and youth union members, as a way to spread patriotism and express gratitude to those who sacrificed for the sacred sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.

The fathers' generation comes first, the sons' generation follows.

One of the people present at the ceremony who moved many was Major Tran Thi Thuy, the daughter of the heroic martyr Tran Van Phuong. Major Thuy is currently working at the 146th Naval Brigade, her father's former unit. She said she is very proud of her father, who sacrificed himself for the homeland's seas and islands. The more proud she is of her father, the more she nurtured her dream of becoming a naval soldier, and that dream has come true.

Major Tran Thi Thuy - daughter of Heroic Martyr Tran Van Phuong - offers incense at the Gac Ma Soldiers' Monument.

In recent years, Major Thuy has frequently participated in missions to Truong Sa. Long voyages at sea, facing the rough waves of the front lines, have further honed the courage of this female naval soldier. "Each mission is very arduous, but when I return to the mainland, I always miss Truong Sa. I am always ready to go wherever the Fatherland needs me, striving to live and work in a way that is worthy of the sacrifices of my father and previous generations," Major Tran Thi Thuy expressed.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/gac-ma-khuc-trang-ca-bat-tu-196260314195641453.htm