Oath to keep the sea forever

(NLDO) - The 70 heroic years of the Vietnam People's Navy have carved glorious golden pages into the nation's history. For the Navy, the oath to protect the sea is eternal.

This morning, as the dawn light sparkled on the sea, I walked slowly on the wet sand, feeling the water seeping through my toes, then suddenly became silent when I saw a large wave crashing onto the shore. My heart was filled with tears as I remembered the years I wore the navy uniform.

The spirit of golden milestones

Seventy years, a long journey, the Vietnam People's Navy has carved glorious golden pages into the nation's history, from the first battle in the Gulf of Tonkin to the days of steadfastly protecting every inch of the homeland's islands.

As a marine, from private to rear admiral, I have devoted my life to the ocean, where every wave is an oath, every voyage is a sacred mission.

When I joined the army in 1983, the Vietnam People's Navy had gone through nearly three decades of fighting and growing up. The first victory of this young force, the battle on August 2 and 5, 1964 in the Gulf of Tonkin, had become legendary.

Back then, naval soldiers on small torpedo boats, weighing only a few dozen tons, bravely confronted the modern destroyer Maddox of the US Navy. The T-333 and T-336 ships drove away the enemy, affirming the strength and indomitable will of the Vietnamese Navy right from the first days of its establishment.

Navy officers participate in the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification on April 30, in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: THE DAI

That victory was not only a historical milestone but also a strong inspiration for our generation. I still remember the unit activities, having the honor of meeting the veterans, they told the story of the battle in a hearty, proud voice: America has big ships, modern planes, but we have patriotism, a spirit of steel. That is the strongest weapon.

I will never forget the special mark of the Vietnam People's Navy in the campaign to destroy magnetic bombs in the Gulf of Tonkin in late 1972. During Operation Linebacker II, the US Air Force dropped many mines and magnetic bombs on the northern seaports to block the strategic transportation route. Those mines were known as "underwater killers" and could explode at any time, threatening both military and civilian ships.

Colonel Nguyen Van Thang, one of those directly involved in the campaign, recalled: "Every time we dived, we knew we might not return. But thinking of our compatriots and our country, no one faltered."

Navy soldiers guard the sea and sky day and night, protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland. Photo: LE PHUONG DUNG

Thanks to their courage and intelligence, the navy soldiers neutralized thousands of mines, reopening the vital route for the North. The image of marines holding bombs, pulling ropes, regardless of danger, has become a symbol of courage and silent sacrifice.

I grew up with pride in the Ships Without Numbers – the legend of the Vietnam People’s Navy during the resistance war against the US. The small wooden ships, without numbers or lights, quietly overcame the waves and the enemy’s lurking presence to transport weapons and food from the northern rear to the southern battlefield. In the pitch-black night, waves tossed the ships, enemy planes hovered overhead, there were times when the ships broke down in the middle of the sea, the whole group lay still under the moonlight, holding their breath waiting for the enemy to pass by, but absolutely no one thought of giving up.

The achievements of the Ships Without Numbers were not only in the successful shipments but also in the indomitable spirit, ready to sacrifice for national independence. Those ships contributed to the historic victory of April 30, 1975, when the liberation flag flew over the Independence Palace (now the Reunification Hall - Ho Chi Minh City) and the Truong Sa archipelago was liberated.

On April 29, 1975, naval forces, in coordination with local military and civilians, quickly took over the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago, affirming Vietnam's indisputable sovereignty. Captain Nguyen Van Duc, who commanded a naval unit in the campaign to liberate Song Tu Tay island that year, under enemy fire, he and his comrades still steadfastly advanced, planted the national flag on the island, and loudly declared: "Truong Sa belongs to Vietnam, forever belongs to Vietnam!".

But perhaps the milestone that makes my heart ache the most is the Gac Ma incident on March 14, 1988. 64 naval soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives in the war to protect sovereignty. They, soldiers without enough weapons and equipment, stood in an immortal circle, hand in hand, determined to keep the national flag flying in front of the enemy until the last minute.

The image of Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong, before falling, still shouting loudly: "We would rather die than lose the island!", has become a symbol of the loyalty and indomitable spirit of the entire nation against foreign forces.

Those milestones, from the battle of Ma Doc to Gac Ma, are not only history but also "unspoken orders" in the hearts of every marine soldier, reminding us that protecting the sea is not only a duty but also an honor, a responsibility to the Fatherland and the nation.

Keeping the sea is keeping honor  

Although I did not directly hold a gun on the battlefield, I was fortunate to set foot in the most harsh sea areas of the Fatherland. From the DK1 platform - the "living milestones" precariously balanced in the middle of the ocean, to the submerged and floating islands where the waves roared and the wind howled, my teammates were always brave and resilient in the face of countless challenges.

DK1 platform. Photo: THE DAI

DK1 platform, a solid but small steel structure in the middle of the ocean, is where I most clearly feel the harshness, not only of the weather, climate, living conditions but also of the mission we undertake. In 1998, during a business trip, I witnessed storm No. 8 hit, waves tens of meters high hitting the platform, causing the whole structure to shake. The soldiers on the platform, with only a few square meters to live on, calmly held on, checked the equipment, and reported the situation to the mainland.

I also cannot forget the times I encountered foreign ships violating Vietnamese waters. In 2005, during a patrol near the Truong Sa archipelago, we discovered a foreign ship deliberately crossing the maritime boundary. Under the command of the captain, our ship persistently sent out signals, asking the opposing ship to leave.

The conversation lasted for hours, tense but full of courage. Finally, the foreign ship had to retreat. At that moment, a comrade patted me on the shoulder and smiled: "To protect the sea is to protect honor. We don't raise our voices, but we also never give in."

Rescue missions for fishermen in storms, a peacetime mission, are also unforgettable memories. In 2013, when Typhoon Haiyan – one of the strongest storms in history – hit the East Sea, the navy participated in the rescue of a fishing boat stranded near Sinh Ton Island.

The waves were more than ten meters high, the wind gusted to level 12, but the soldiers still rushed into the eye of the storm, using cables to pull the fishing boat to safety. The rescued fishermen held the soldiers' hands to thank them. One fisherman choked up: "If it weren't for you, my family would have lost everything."

Every action of the navy, no matter how small, carries with it great pride: Maintaining territorial sovereignty and integrity, preserving the image of Vietnam as a peace- loving but never submissive country.

On every step of our work, carrying out the tasks assigned by the Party, State, People and Army, we, the naval soldiers, always keep in mind the advice of General Le Duc Anh when visiting Truong Sa: "Determined to firmly hold every inch of land and island, not allowing any force to violate the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland".

That became an iron oath, a burning fire in the heart of every marine.

Faith in the future

Today, the Vietnam People's Navy has grown strongly, becoming a modern military force with missile boats, Kilo submarines, reconnaissance aircraft and elite water commandos. Radar systems, coastal artillery and missiles and modern equipment have helped the navy control the sea from afar, firmly protecting national sovereignty.

Fishermen fishing in Truong Sa waters. Photo: VIET NGA

New day in Truong Sa. Photo: VIET NGA

But the true strength of the Vietnam People's Navy does not lie entirely in its weapons and equipment, but in the hearts, minds and enthusiasm of its people who carry the spirit of "going anywhere, doing anything when the Fatherland needs it".

The 70-year glorious history of the Vietnam People's Navy has had losses, sacrifices, blood and tears that are saltier than the sea of ​​deprivation, silence and separation. But that journey is the solid foundation for us, the successive generations, to pass on the fire, to encourage each other to stand firm in the face of all storms to write new miracles.

If we come to Truong Sa once, we will see the bright eyes of all the young soldiers. They have the same oath: "We go, to make our motherland peaceful".

That bravery is the indomitable loyalty of generations of Navy officers and soldiers who have grown up from the thousand-year-old spirit of the entire nation.

Even though I have left the army, my heart still turns to the sea, where my comrades stay day and night to guard the sea and sky, considering the sea as their home and the ship as their loving support.

Protecting the sea, protecting Truong Sa, and protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland is the responsibility and also the honorable oath of the Vietnam People's Navy.

And today, standing before the sea, my heart is filled with deep longing for our ancestors and filled with gratitude for the heroic martyrs who have forever dissolved into the waves of the ocean. I would like to ask the great waves to send my admiration and pride to my comrades, teammates, especially those who are silently carrying out special missions on the islands and DK1 platform.

Together, let us hold our guns firmly and steer firmly, so that Vietnam's seas and islands will forever be a peaceful green zone, the eternal pride of future generations!

Vietnam People's Navy - the oath to protect the sea forever!

Source: https://nld.com.vn/loi-the-giu-bien-mai-bat-diet-196250506213452858.htm