Go to Truong Sa to see the "Three Best Nightingales"

Of the 21 islands and islets out of a total of 33 military outposts in the Spratly Islands, Son Ca is a small, beloved island nicknamed "three best": "greenest, cleanest, and whitest."

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Warrior's Green

Upon arriving at Son Ca Island, the first thing that catches the eye is the vibrant green of hundreds of storm-resistant trees and nurseries surrounding the island. Political Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Luong Hien, said: “Son Ca is the most beautiful island in the Truong Sa Archipelago, highly rated by the Naval Command and praised by delegations from the mainland. Son Ca is known as the island with the ‘three best’s: greenest, cleanest, and whitest, and this has become its trademark.”

Lieutenant Colonel Hien further explained that Son Ca Island is nicknamed "the greenest" because the soil on the island is quite flat. The island's surface is covered with a thin layer of humus mixed with bird droppings. The tides on the island follow a diurnal pattern, with one high tide and one low tide per day. The island has about 300 sunny days a year, divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season lasts from August to March of the following year, and the weather on the island is cooler than other islands. Therefore, this is the condition for the trees to thrive and remain green all year round. The island's vegetation is quite rich and diverse in species. There are many square-fruited Terminalia catappa trees, oak trees, casuarina trees, sea morning glory, and some species of soft-stemmed grasses of natural origin brought from the mainland. Many old, weather-resistant trees provide shade, and various bird species, mainly skylarks, come here to build their nests, which is why the island is named Son Ca Island (Skylark Island).

Soldiers on Son Ca Island and guests from the mainland enjoy cultural and artistic activities.

Lieutenant Colonel Hien shared about the greenery on Son Ca Island: “The greenery of Son Ca Island didn't come naturally; it was cultivated by the labor and creativity of our soldiers. Besides trees brought from the mainland, thousands of trees have been propagated and planted by our soldiers. Before returning to the mainland, each soldier plants one or two trees to commemorate their time studying, training, and preparing for combat on the island. They also plant a tree on their birthdays, as a contribution to making the island greener. Planting trees around the island has become a necessity and a beautiful movement. We are always proud of that.”

Thousands of trees have been planted on the island slopes, around trenches and fortifications, on runways, in agricultural areas and residential areas, all collectively known as "the green of the soldiers." "This is not only a recognition of creative achievements, but also an affirmation of vitality in this remote area. In the furthest reaches of the Fatherland, despite the numerous difficulties and hardships, despite the harsh weather and year-round sun and wind, we still manage our lives. The green surrounding the island reflects that vitality. Son Ca Island has now become the most beloved and beautiful island in the Truong Sa archipelago," Lieutenant Colonel Hien said.

Son Ca Island is also the "cleanest" island because it has a solar power system that provides electricity for daily life, studies, and work. The entire island has a system of trash bins placed in residential areas and public spaces. With a spirit of working together to protect the environment, daily waste is sorted and placed in designated bins. Waste that is processed on-site is collected and buried underground, or burned to produce ash to mix with soil for seedling cultivation. Plastic waste is bagged and transported by ship to the mainland for processing. The entire island strictly adheres to environmental hygiene practices, with tasks assigned at specific times. After strenuous training sessions, the young soldiers voluntarily clean up, weed, and collect trash. Therefore, from the roads leading to the football field to the living quarters, training areas, and restrooms, everything is spotlessly clean.

When asked what the nickname "whitest" meant, the commander of Son Ca Island, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Pho, explained that due to the island's cool climate, favorable soil conditions, lush greenery year-round, and abundant fresh water, the soldiers here generally have whiter skin than soldiers on other islands.

“Every time a delegation or performing arts group from the mainland comes to visit and perform, the soldiers on Son Ca Island are noted to be fairer-skinned than those on other islands. After the cultural exchange, handwritten notes, phone numbers, commemorative photos are shared, and messages like ‘see you again on the mainland’ are exchanged between the female performers and the young officers. This is also how the couples who married soldiers on Son Ca Island began,” Lieutenant Colonel Pho revealed.

Soldiers are planting saplings on the island.

New day

On sunny days like poured honey, the atmosphere at Squadron 1 was vibrant with troop training; at Squadron 2, soldiers practiced 16 martial arts movements, 35 combined fist techniques, and 8 basic standing stances. Despite their shirts being soaked with sweat, the soldiers still shone with joy and pride at being able to guard the sea at the forefront of the waves and winds.

Captain Bui Thuc Hoa, in charge of logistics on the island, said that Son Ca Island has been given a new coat of color by thousands of plants, flowers, and trees. This is all the result of the hard work, intelligence, and creativity of many generations of officers and soldiers.

“When we talk about Son Ca Island, we're talking about a green island, a place of creative labor. It's not by chance that it's so green, clean, and beautiful; it's the result of unity, determination to build and protect the island – strong in defense, beautiful in its environment, with a good quality of life, and a close bond between the military and the people, like fish and water. Although the soldiers on the island are far from the mainland, they have all the necessary facilities, so living on the island, we can work with complete peace of mind,” said Hoa.

A year into his military career, Corporal Tong Van Khoa set foot on Son Ca Island, coinciding with the arrival of the spring of the Year of the Snake (2015). The initial bewilderment of the 21-year-old soldier from Nghe An was erased by the love and support, the spirit of solidarity, and the close bond of camaraderie among his fellow soldiers, who treated each other like brothers in a family.

Corporal Khoa shared: “Life on the island is more difficult and arduous than on the mainland, that's normal, but there are also many interesting things about being on the island. It's a chance to test our youthful strength and dedicate our youth to the Fatherland. On the island, the soldiers are united and love each other like family. Every time a delegation from the mainland comes to visit or we receive a letter from home, our joy is multiplied, making us even more determined to stand firm and guard the sky, sea, and islands. Although far from the mainland, Son Ca Island is truly a second home for the soldiers.”

Covered in lush green grass, trees, and flowers, Son Ca Island resembles a small town amidst the vast ocean. In this small town far out at sea, soldiers silently dedicate their youth day and night. Day after day, night after night, they steadfastly guard the sovereignty of the nation's maritime territory.

Mai Thang

Source: https://baocamau.vn/ra-truo-ng-sa-xem-son-ca-ba-nhat--a37432.html