Remembering the time of building an island

Nearly 46 years have passed, Mr. Dao Dinh Chu's life is as peaceful as that of many other navy soldiers returning from Truong Sa, the only difference is that he always remembers the days he spent building the island with his comrades.

Seven days and nights of struggling with big waves to save his comrades, being attacked by foreign ships, having to eat live seagulls to survive... That is the story of soldier Dao Dinh Chu and 7 other soldiers who "near-death" at Phan Vinh island 46 years ago, as a symbol of patriotism and bravery in protecting Truong Sa - the sacred archipelago on the front line of the Fatherland.

Truong Sa - the sacred archipelago at the frontline of the Fatherland. Photo: MAI THANG

Unforgettable memories

I happened to meet Mr. Dao Dinh Chu who came to the People's Committee of Xuyen Moc Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province to get a medical examination according to the policy family standards during his time doing mass mobilization work there. Seeing me wearing a navy uniform, Mr. Chu came to talk to me: "Are you going to get a medical examination today? I was a former Truong Sa navy soldier who guarded Phan Vinh Island in 1978. I heard that soldiers were coming to give medical examinations and free medicine, so I came here."

Through the story, knowing that he was a former navy veteran who had once struggled at sea, I took a piece of paper to write down his words as a comrade in arms, only different in age and military age.

In the hallway of the People's Committee of Xuyen Moc commune, Mr. Chu told about the difficult days with his comrades to protect Phan Vinh island. He said: "Nearly 46 years have passed, but the days of living and building the island are unforgettable. Those were the most beautiful times of my life. Being able to go to Truong Sa and contribute to Truong Sa during my military career is a source of pride."

In April 1978, from Brigade 146, Naval Region 4, Mr. Chu and 8 comrades boarded ship 680 to march to Phan Vinh Island to carry out their mission. After a 3-day and 3-night voyage, ship 680 arrived at Phan Vinh Island. "It was around 3 p.m. Phan Vinh Island was just a coral reef about 1 meter above the water. We started our new life with dry food, a little rice, canned meat and island building materials. The weather was extremely hot," Mr. Chu recalled.

One morning in mid-May 1978, while he was cooking for the whole island, he suddenly heard a comrade scream: "Chữ, save me! Chữ…". He threw down the soup ladle, quickly ran to the edge of the island and rushed out to save his comrade who was swept away by the waves. But unexpectedly, he was swept away too. At that time, other soldiers who were building the island also quickly came to the rescue.

The rescue plan was quickly deployed. The rubber boat was tied to the bunker with a 60-meter-long rope at one end and to the boat at the other. The soldiers brought oars to the boat to rescue their comrades. As soon as the boat left the coral reef, a large wave hit it, breaking the rope and drifting it away. "I tried to swim to save my comrades, but the more I swam, the further I was pushed away from shore. Then I grabbed a piece of wood and was rescued by the boat. On the island slope, the waves often swirl in circles, roll and then carry them far away. I learned to swim since I was little, otherwise I would have died," Mr. Chu recalled.

Mr. Dao Dinh Chu (left) tells the story of being swept away by the waves. Photo: MAI THANG

Must live to build island

Perhaps after 46 years since leaving Phan Vinh Island, Mr. Chu now has the opportunity to tell the story of being swept away by the waves. Therefore, there are times when he is pensive and thoughtful, sometimes he puts his hand on his forehead to search for memories. His eyes are always filled with tears, his voice choked with emotion when remembering his comrades.

He continued, when he was brought back to the boat, he and the soldiers continued to search for his comrades. The rubber lifeboat was continuously pushed away by the waves. How could we row back to the island when the storm was about to hit, the waves were getting bigger and bigger, and one of our comrades had not been found? "The question lingered in our minds, making us more determined. The sea rain poured down, the sky gradually darkened, we sat on the boat, both hungry and cold, shivering but not without hope" - Mr. Chu recounted.

After the sudden storm, the sea gradually calmed down, the rubber boat rocked on the waves. After a night of fighting the waves, hunger and thirst, the soldiers gradually became weak. But hunger was not as terrible as the scorching sun the next morning. Blisters began to appear on the soldiers' bodies.

After the first day, on the second day, everyone's stomachs were growling with hunger and their throats were dry. "We must live!", the soldiers said to each other and encouraged each other to stay calm and keep their will to wait for the ship to come to rescue them. Mr. Chu continued: "While we were lying down waiting for the ship to come to rescue us, suddenly a seagull swooped down and landed next to the boat. I grabbed it, plucked its feathers and tore its flesh to share with everyone. Even if it tasted fishy, ​​we ate it to live."

On the fifth day, when the hope of survival became slim, they discovered a ship nearby. Mr. Chu and two soldiers swam close to the ship and signaled for food. From the ship, three soldiers threw spears at them. Guessing it was a foreign ship, they dove to avoid the spears and swam back to the boat. At that time, everyone thought there was no hope of survival...

On the 6th day, 8 soldiers lay unconscious on the boat. All had blisters from the sun and salty sea. Later, a ship from Naval Region 4 came to rescue them and brought them to the mainland. The soldier slipped and was swept away by the waves to a nearby island and was also rescued by a ship...

After the near-death incident in May 1978 at Phan Vinh Island, Mr. Chu returned to the mainland to recover his health and then continued to Truong Sa Lon and Co Lin Islands. In 1991, he was demobilized and paid his allowance in one go before returning to Nam Dinh to live, then to Xuyen Moc Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province to start a business.

This year, Mr. Dao Dinh Chu turns 67. His life is as peaceful as that of other navy soldiers returning from Truong Sa. The only difference is that he always remembers the days he lived on Phan Vinh Island...

Veteran Dao Dinh Chu said: "Phan Vinh Island is one of the islands with an important position in the national defense belt in Truong Sa. The days of building the island were the most beautiful days. Knowing that it would be difficult to make it come true, but if I could return to Truong Sa, to Phan Vinh Island, I would be very satisfied when I close my eyes and pass away."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nho-mot-thoi-xay-dao-196240615181900781.htm