Practicing sea parade, preparing for National Day

Die for the Fatherland, live for it

Ship 571 of Naval Region 4 sails through the waves. This is the 6th day of the 18-day voyage, the ship carries the Region 4 delegation and more than 50 reporters to visit officers, soldiers and people on duty in the Truong Sa archipelago. In the afternoon, shimmering rays of sunlight fall on the vast ocean. In front of the ship's bow, seabirds tilt their wings and soar, and schools of dolphins occasionally jump on the waves, performing a free and joyful dance in the middle of the ocean.

Every day, after dinner, most of the reporters gathered at the bow of the ship to enjoy the scenery. Not everyone has the opportunity to visit Truong Sa, so we cherished every minute and every second of the journey. In addition to the time working, we did not miss the opportunity to record the majestic natural scenes on Truong Sa archipelago, a solid shield protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

But today, all of that “steps back”. Amidst the solemn sound of the waves, everyone devotes their minds, along with the navy soldiers, to the extremely sacred task of weaving fresh flower wreaths, folding paper cranes, preparing for the memorial ceremony for the 64 heroic martyrs who heroically fell and remained in the waters of Co Lin, Len Dao, Gac Ma in the Truong Sa archipelago, with the spirit of “Determined to die for the Fatherland, determined to live”.

36 years have passed since the historic day of March 14, 1988, but the image of the Vietnamese People's Navy soldiers standing in a circle, determined to hold the national flag in the face of enemy bullets, still stands tall here, becoming the symbol of the "immortal circle". Their indomitable will is a steel shield at the forefront of the waves, so that the sovereignty of the Fatherland is protected and preserved.

Yellow chrysanthemums, red roses and white lilies were carefully preserved, after days of sailing on the ship through storms, still fresh, starting to be woven into pure flower wreaths. Cranes - symbols of peace , also gradually filled up under the caring hands.

From historical documents, like all Vietnamese people, we “belong” to the heroic battle of Gac Ma; in that battle, 64 soldiers heroically sacrificed themselves. Now, being able to set foot on the sea that embraced them, being able to touch the sound of the waves and the sacred souls of the heroic martyrs, emotions welled up in each of our hearts. There were tears of emotion and gratitude that could not be held back, silently falling.

Journalist Nguyen Khac An ( Nghe An ) shared: When he received the assignment to work in Truong Sa archipelago, he was very emotional because he was about to "meet" his close friend from school days - martyr Le Ba Giang, one of 64 martyrs who died in the Gac Ma battle. After decades of separation, he can now send into the waves the handful of soil he brought from his hometown, to warm his friend's heart. "Now, I can directly tell the martyr: Your family, hometown, and friends always remember and are proud of you" - journalist Nguyen Khac An said.

Oath to keep the sea under the flag

Continue the march

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tho, Deputy Brigade Commander of Brigade 146, Naval Region 4, gently tied each chrysanthemum and rose, and said in a low voice: Every time the navy ships bring working delegations from all over the country to visit officers, soldiers, and people on duty in Truong Sa archipelago, before going to Co Lin and Len Dao islands, they always perform this sacred memorial ceremony.

Lieutenant Colonel Tho and his comrades have lost count of the number of times they have prepared and organized a memorial service on the ship. But every time, the emotion, love, and gratitude for their comrades who sacrificed themselves for the Fatherland are always in their hearts; they are instilled in each officer and soldier the determination to excellently carry out the tasks assigned by the Party and the People; follow in the footsteps of their fathers and brothers, overcome all hardships and challenges; unite and join forces to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tho said: With that determination, during the years of carrying out missions on Vietnam's islands, 13 soldiers of the DK1 platform heroically sacrificed their lives in peacetime, of which 9 martyrs will forever remain in the ocean, in the storm. Most recently, in December 2023, Captain Nguyen Tai Thi, Deputy Commander of the DK1/12 platform, and Captain Do Tung Linh, Political Commissar of the 202 ship, will also forever remain in the middle of the ocean.

Break time between training sessions of officers and soldiers of Naval Region 5

To be worthy of the great sacrifices of countless heroic martyrs, naval officers and soldiers who are performing their duties on the sea and islands of Vietnam, especially on the Truong Sa archipelago - a solid shield protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland, are ready to sacrifice a lot of personal happiness, steadfastly standing at the forefront of the wind and waves, day and night firmly holding their guns to guard the sea and sky; to be a fulcrum for fishermen to go offshore to produce and develop the economy. At the same time, to be a living landmark at sea, joining hands to preserve the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

In 2023 and 2024, the affiliated and coordinated forces of Naval Region 4 operating at sea guided fishing boats to enter and exit ports and reservoirs to avoid storms, ensuring safety for over 20,000 trips; rescued, rescued, and provided emergency aid to nearly 200 cases on islands in the Truong Sa archipelago.

From 2022 to 2024, Truong Sa Island Medical Center examined and treated nearly 4,500 patients; of which, nearly 150 patients were successfully treated (including fishermen in distress at sea, transferred from the islands); nearly 200 cases were successfully operated on, including many major surgeries for necrotizing appendicitis.

According to information from the Navy, most recently, on August 12, the Da Tay Island Infirmary promptly provided initial first aid to fisherman Tran Van Ty (Binh Thuan) who had an accident while diving deep, suffered from decompression sickness, had symptoms of muscle pain in all four limbs, and was paralyzed... Ship 937 of the Navy Squadron 129 continued to transfer Mr. Ty to the Truong Sa Island Medical Center for emergency treatment, "returning" the fisherman's health and life.

The night before the memorial service seemed shorter, because the emotions were so full. The morning light rose early. Under the red national flag flying proudly in the Truong Sa sea and sky, on the deck of ship 571, the officers, soldiers and all the reporters looked up, solemnly saluted, silently calling the names of the heroic martyrs as the name of the country. Listening to the bustling waves, the new day was peaceful and joyful.

Quynh Anh - Hoang Nguyen

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/bien-gioi-bien-dao/ten-anh-da-thanh-ten-dat-nuoc-157149.html