A part of our Fatherland's flesh and blood

For many years, the leaders of Binh Thuan province, including the Binh Thuan Newspaper, have made numerous trips to the Truong Sa archipelago to visit and encourage the officers and soldiers who are on duty protecting the islands and the Fatherland. During each trip, the delegation releases floating lanterns in remembrance of the 64 martyrs of Gac Ma. The image of the 64 soldiers forming an "immortal circle" on Gac Ma island on March 14, 1988, has become a monument in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. Thirty-six years ago, on March 14, 1988, the Chinese navy, with many warships and modern weapons, unexpectedly attacked the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy who were on duty protecting sovereignty on the submerged islands of Gac Ma - Len Dao - Co Lin (part of Truong Sa, Khanh Hoa province). They brazenly used military weapons to attack, sinking and burning three of our transport ships. To protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands, our officers and soldiers fought bravely and unyieldingly, and 64 of our Navy soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives. In that battle, the image of the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy standing in a circle, using their bodies to resist the enemy with many modern weapons, determined to protect the national flag and affirm Vietnam's sovereignty at Gac Ma Island, has become a symbol of the "Immortal Circle". In the Truong Sa archipelago of our Fatherland, Sinh Ton Pagoda on Sinh Ton Island stands peacefully by the waves. Sinh Ton Pagoda is where the memorial plaque for the 64 Navy soldiers who perished in the waves of the Fatherland's ocean 36 years ago is located. Many officers, soldiers, people of Truong Sa town, and fishermen who fish around the island come to Sinh Ton Pagoda to light incense and pray for the souls of the fallen heroes. Every year on this day, the pagoda prepares vegetarian meals and arranges incense and flowers at the memorial plaque to pray for the souls of the heroic martyrs. On Sinh Ton Island, besides March 14th, the people also visit Sinh Ton Pagoda on the 15th and 1st days of each lunar month, as well as on holidays and festivals, to offer incense in remembrance of the fallen soldiers, hoping they will rest in peace and bless the soldiers and civilians on the island with peace and safety. Of the 64 soldiers who died in the 1988 Gac Ma naval battle, Quang Binh province has the most, with 13 martyrs. On March 14th, at the Quang Phuc Martyrs' Cemetery in Ba Don town, Quang Binh province, the local government and people held a ceremony to honor the 64 soldiers who died in the Gac Ma naval battle. This is also the resting place of Heroic Martyr, Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong, former Deputy Commander of Gac Ma reef, from Quang Phuc ward, Ba Don town, who braved danger and sacrificed his life while defending the national flag. At this time, millions of Vietnamese people visit the Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial to light incense and remember the 64 naval soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives in the Gac Ma naval battle in 1988. The memorials in the Gac Ma Martyrs Memorial are considered the "retirement home" of the 64 Gac Ma martyrs who died to protect the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.

To spread patriotism, national spirit, and the unwavering determination of the Gac Ma soldiers to present and future generations, all levels, sectors, localities, agencies, and units in the province have been and will continue to organize activities with profound educational significance and appropriateness. All of these demonstrate the respectful gratitude and the traditional moral values of "drinking water, remembering the source" and "repaying gratitude" of the Vietnamese people towards those who fell for the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands, and for the territorial integrity of Vietnam. They fell, but their patriotism and unwavering, indomitable fighting spirit live on, becoming a source of motivation for the entire Party, people, and army to continue overcoming difficulties to build Truong Sa - Vietnam into an increasingly modernized, prosperous, and developed region.

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