Light up love for the country

An elderly couple braved the waves to reach Truong Sa.

They are Mr. Le Trong Cat (72 years old) and his wife, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (66 years old), residing at Xa Dan 2 Alley (Nam Dong Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi ). Among the delegation of over 200 people, Mr. Cat is the oldest and perhaps one of the few in his late 70s who still venture to Truong Sa, as this is a difficult and challenging journey.

Not only were they courageous in their journey, but they were also very active participants in youth activities organized by the Central Youth Union and the Naval Command throughout the trip. On the very first night on the ship, during a cultural exchange celebrating the Traditional Day of the Vietnam People's Navy, despite hundreds of people suffering from seasickness and unable to attend the program, they still appeared on stage to perform with the delegates. In particular, Mr. and Mrs. Cat enthusiastically participated in the competitions on the ship with impressive performances. When participating in the "Perfect Couple" competition, they went on stage to perform using sign language, explaining that it was the phrase: "We love Truong Sa" used by the deaf.

Two elderly people hold hands on the DK1/2 Phuc Tan offshore platform.

Ms. Ha shared that she and her husband used to be teachers for hearing-impaired children, so they deeply understand the disadvantages these children face. With this trip to Truong Sa, they will return to spread information about Truong Sa to the hearing-impaired, so that no one is unaware of Truong Sa.

Speaking about her journey to Truong Sa, Mrs. Ha confided that she and her husband often travel together to border and island regions because they have a great love for these places. "My husband was a soldier; we experienced wars together, so we deeply understand the losses and suffering of our nation and the hardships of soldiers. Despite our advanced age, we still longed to visit Truong Sa, a sacred part of our homeland, to encourage the soldiers who are performing their noble duty of safeguarding sovereignty in this remote island," Mrs. Ha shared.

Spreading love for the sea and islands.

Despite their advanced age, the couple traveled to every point on the journey, not missing a single island. During rough seas, the canoe carrying the delegates to the islands was sometimes tossed high into the air and then submerged again, but the couple remained steadfast, braving the waves to reach all seven islands. Even the offshore platform, the most challenging point due to its difficult accessibility and extreme danger for those afraid of heights, was overcome by the couple, who climbed up and returned safely.

Mr. and Mrs. Cat proudly stand on the "square" on Truong Sa Island.

"Before we left, we learned from many people who had already been there, so we prepared medicine and trained our physical fitness. Even though our legs hurt, we were determined to go and not skip any places, because we absolutely had to reach Truong Sa and be happy to have made it," the old man said excitedly.

After visiting the islands, the elderly woman said emotionally, "When we came here, we were very impressed by the spirit of the soldiers and the people. Because in this remote frontline, communication with people is very difficult, but they are very resilient, courageous, and steadfast in protecting the Fatherland." The elderly man also shared that despite his old age, seeing the young people was like seeing himself again when he crossed the Truong Son Mountains to fight.

"The hardships and difficulties now are even greater than in the past. In Truong Son, I could still communicate with many people, but here it's impossible. They have to be far from their families, far from the mainland, and live by the sea. The willpower, resilience, and sacrifice of the soldiers here are incomparable," Mr. Cat shared, his eyes welling up with tears.

Ms. Ha said that with what she has experienced, she will tell her children, grandchildren, and the younger generation about her gratitude and appreciation for those who were willing to sacrifice themselves to protect the country. "I have filmed and photographed many touching images. After returning, I will gather my family and friends, tell them about my journey, and share my love for the sea and islands," Ms. Ha said.

Ms. Ha My presents gifts to soldiers on Da Thi Island.

Bring Truong Sa back to the mainland.

Among the delegation, a young person deeply moved everyone with his poems about the Spratly Islands.

That's Ms. Dao Thi Ha My (30 years old), Director of NAMY Co., Ltd. ( Da Nang ). She won first prize in the "Composition of Literature, Poetry, and Songs: Truong Sa in My Heart" contest launched by the Central Youth Union on the ship. In her poem "Last Night at Song Tu Tay," the female "poet" vividly portrays the courage of the soldiers on the remote island as they guard and protect national sovereignty day and night. Amidst the vast ocean, they endure night shifts with only their dog, "Dot," as companions and the scent of Barringtonia flowers wafting in the sea breeze. Despite the sadness, they remain steadfast, holding their weapons firmly and ready to fight and sacrifice to protect the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

During her journeys to the islands, she composed dozens of poems to give to the soldiers. Each time she arrived, she went to each soldier's room, placing a small gift on the headboard of each bed – perhaps a notebook, a pen, or a pretty keychain – with touching dedications such as: "A lovely gift braves the waves and winds. Reaching Truong Sa. With love and longing, may you remain steadfast in the face of storms"; "Greetings, my dearest sons. Of the sea, of the sky and land of Vietnam. Iron will like the star of your military insignia. Beautiful soul like the blue of the sea..."

"I've wanted to go to Truong Sa for a long time, stemming from my love for the sea and islands and my gratitude to the naval soldiers, but that feeling was only 'theory' at the time. I wanted to experience it firsthand, to turn that feeling into action and have projects for Truong Sa," My said.

The female "poet" also shared that she is from Nghe An but studied and graduated from Da Nang University, then started her career in Da Nang with event organizing and a fresh flower shop. As a young person, she wanted to express her feelings for Truong Sa in her own way.

"My business partners are young customers, young businesses, and small traders who rarely have access to propaganda programs about the islands and seas. Therefore, I want to incorporate images of the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa islands into my products so that people can learn more about them. For example, each flower arrangement sent to customers will include the names of the islands in the Truong Sa archipelago," she shared, while also expressing her desire to raise funds for Truong Sa and launch her artworks to bring Truong Sa closer to the mainland.

It wasn't just an idea; immediately after returning from Truong Sa, she connected with entrepreneurs and businesses to support the 3rd Naval Region, providing a foundation for fishermen to venture out to sea and maintain their livelihoods, such as sponsoring orphaned fishermen's children; donating gifts and scholarships to children of disadvantaged fishermen; visiting and giving gifts to armed forces units serving on the front lines of the Fatherland... "Returning from Truong Sa, I have seen more clearly my mission, not only to develop the economy to contribute to my homeland, but also to ignite love for the country in those around me through concrete actions," Ms. My shared. (to be continued)

The 2023 "Youth for the Homeland's Seas and Islands" journey, with the theme "Youth accompanying for a green Truong Sa," received support from the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam).

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-giot-nuoc-mat-tu-hao-o-truong-sa-thap-len-tinh-yeu-dat-nuoc-185230719130132825.htm