(QBĐT) - I had the honor of visiting Truong Sa archipelago twice in 2015 and 2024, twice joining the soldiers and people of Truong Sa archipelago to participate in the flag-raising ceremony in Truong Sa town (Truong Sa island). Both times attending the ceremony brought many different emotions, but what remained in me when I returned to the mainland... was a feeling of eternal sacredness and pride!
The national flag flutters on the waves
One morning in May 2024, the Navy's hospital ship number 561 docked at Truong Sa island wharf, bringing working group number 22 to visit the soldiers and people of Truong Sa town, the "heart" of Truong Sa island district, Khanh Hoa province.
From the pier, about 200m further, right on the straight runway, we saw the military and civilian groups gathered neatly to prepare to welcome the 22nd working group, then participate in a special ceremony - the flag-raising ceremony and reviewing the formation and ranks. In front of the sovereignty milestone, rows of solemn soldiers and island residents participated in the flag-raising ceremony in their best costumes, women wearing traditional ao dai, men in formal trousers and white shirts.
After a final inspection of the formation and team, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quang Phu, Commander of Truong Sa Island, reported to Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, Head of Working Group No. 22, asking for permission to conduct the flag-saluting ceremony.
 |
In the quiet atmosphere, a solemn and resolute shout rang out. “Look at the flag... Salute!”. “National anthem!”. As soon as the commanding officer finished, all of us looked up at the national flag and sang in a solemn voice: “ The Vietnamese army marches with the same heart to save the country/Footsteps echo on the bumpy road far away/The flag is printed with the blood of victory carrying the soul of the country/The guns in the distance intermingle with the marching song/The road to glory is covered with the corpses of the enemy/Overcoming hardships, we together establish a war zone/Fighting endlessly for the people/Advance quickly to the battlefield/Advance! Advance together!/Our Vietnamese country is strong and lasting… ”.
It is still the same bright red national flag, the same national anthem deeply imprinted in the minds of every Vietnamese citizen, but why this morning, in the flag-raising ceremony in the middle of Truong Sa waves, does it feel so special, more noble, more beloved, and the responsibility of a citizen is even greater.
Commander of Truong Sa Island, Tran Quang Phu, said: The flag-raising ceremony and the review of the formation and ranks are important and sacred rituals that the army and people on the island regularly maintain. The flag-raising ceremony is held every Monday, on the occasion of the traditional New Year and important holidays of the country. In particular, it is held on the occasion of welcoming working delegations from the mainland to visit Truong Sa archipelago. The flag-raising ceremony shows honor and pride not only for the army and people of Truong Sa archipelago but also helps people across the country understand more about Truong Sa, the sacred archipelago at the front line of the Fatherland. From there, they will love Truong Sa more, join hands with the army and people of Truong Sa archipelago to better perform the task of protecting the sea and islands, affirming national sovereignty and independence.
Visiting Truong Sa archipelago for the first time, directly attending the flag-raising ceremony in Truong Sa town, Mr. Nguyen Dinh The, son of Gac Ma island martyr Nguyen Dinh Doan (Ngu Thuy commune, Le Thuy) was moved: “For every Vietnamese citizen, perhaps no matter where or in what circumstances they participate in the flag-raising ceremony, they all feel the sacredness, emotion and pride. But here, on Truong Sa archipelago, the flag-raising ceremony is very special for us and certainly difficult to repeat a second time in our lives. Looking at the red flag with yellow star fluttering in the blue sky, in the endless ocean, in the sun and wind of Truong Sa and singing each word of the National Anthem, we love our homeland's sea and islands even more, understand more about the value of peace , independence and the sacrifices of many generations of fathers and brothers. They fell in the waves of Truong Sa to preserve the sovereignty of the sea, islands, and national independence, including my father...”.
Marching under the flag
The flag-raising ceremony had just ended, when the emotions were still surging in everyone's hearts, the 10 military oaths suddenly rose up, resounding and resounding throughout the island: " We, soldiers in the Vietnam People's Army, with the honor of revolutionary soldiers, swear under the glorious flag of the Fatherland: "Sacrifice everything for the Fatherland of Vietnam; under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, strive to realize a peaceful, independent and socialist Vietnam, actively contribute to the struggle of the people of the world for peace, national independence, democracy and socialism/Absolutely obey the orders of superiors; when receiving any task, wholeheartedly and wholeheartedly carry it out quickly and accurately/Continuously enhance the spirit of socialist patriotism, the spirit of proletarian internationalism, train the will to fight resolutely and persistently, not arrogant in victory, not discouraged in defeat, not discouraged in hardship and suffering, not discouraged in life and death. Every mission is completed, every difficulty is overcome, every enemy is defeated... ”. As each oath ends, the resounding, resounding “I swear!” echoes in unison.
 |
Immediately after the flag-raising ceremony, under the background music of “Marching under the military flag”, the majestic and heroic procession of the Vietnam People’s Army was performed in front of the sovereignty marker and the national flagpole. Each soldier, each row of soldiers, marched solemnly and strongly along the runway in a circle and then returned to the sovereignty marker.
Lieutenant Doan Khanh Linh, a native of Quang Binh in Quan Hau town (Quang Ninh), shared: “The flag-saluting ceremony and the formation and team review ceremony of our soldiers are always held regularly. Through each participation, we help the army and people of Truong Sa strengthen solidarity, improve skills, expertise, professionalism and the regular, modern style of the soldiers. From there, we improve our bravery, fighting spirit, and steady hand with guns to protect our homeland's sea and islands. Each time we stand in the formation to perform the flag-saluting ceremony and review the formation and team, we soldiers feel more honored and proud of our homeland and country.”
| Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy: “For the soldiers and people on the Truong Sa archipelago or working delegations from the mainland, the flag-raising ceremony always leaves a beautiful, unforgettable impression. The flag-raising ceremony held in front of the sovereignty milestone further affirms the sacred meaning of territorial integrity; raises the awareness and responsibility of soldiers and people to join hands to preserve and protect the homeland's sea and islands, contributing to beautifying the glorious tradition of the nation”. |
Dragon Fruit
Source: https://www.baoquangbinh.vn/chinh-tri/202409/thieng-lieng-le-chao-co-giua-song-nuoc-truong-sa-2220688/
Comment (0)