Sacred flag-raising ceremony in Truong Sa

The flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa Lon Island will forever be imprinted in my mind and feelings every time I remember Truong Sa archipelago.

I was fortunate to join a delegation from Hanoi to visit the Truong Sa archipelago, Khanh Hoa province, on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. Six years have passed, but it was a trip I will never forget.

During the 10-day journey, the delegation had many meaningful activities at 10 islands and island points in the Truong Sa archipelago (including Truong Sa Lon, Truong Sa Dong, Da Lon, Sinh Ton Dong, Len Dao, Tien Nu, Nui Le, Da Dong, Da Tay, Da Lat) and DK1 platform; visited and gave gifts to encourage officers, soldiers and people on the islands.

Navy officers and soldiers perform the national flag salute ceremony on Truong Sa Lon Island

It can be seen that submerged islands such as Len Dao, Da Lon, Da Dong, Da Tay, Nui Le, and Da Lat are places of very important positions; all are located on submerged coral reefs, with many difficulties in living conditions. However, there, overcoming all difficulties, officers and soldiers always hold their guns firmly, perform their training tasks well, and are ready for any situation.

It was a great honor for us to set foot on the island and meet the naval officers and soldiers who were performing their duties. My most memorable experience during this journey was attending the flag-raising ceremony with the officers and people on the island. Until now, the red flag with a yellow star flying proudly in the wind and waves of Truong Sa Lon Island during that flag-raising ceremony is still vivid in my mind.

It was a peaceful Monday morning in the last week of April - the week the whole country was looking forward to celebrating the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day. In the middle of Truong Sa, the sky was vast and blue, the sea breeze lifted the red flags with yellow stars fluttering.

From early morning, the military units stationed on Truong Sa Lon Island were in order. According to the ritual, after the flag-raising ceremony and reciting the 10 honorary oaths of the Vietnam People's Army, the officers and soldiers marched past the Truong Sa sovereignty marker.

Officers and soldiers march past the Truong Sa sovereignty landmark

Together with the military units and people of Truong Sa island district, the delegation from Hanoi who visited the island lined up neatly to attend the flag-raising ceremony. Everyone's face radiated joy, pride, and indescribable emotion.

"Attention everyone…" - the command was given by the commander. Then, a loud shout was heard: "Attention… Salute the flag, salute!". Immediately after that, the majestic National Anthem was played. We could not contain our emotions, many delegates cried to the background music of "Marching Song".

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee at that time, Head of Working Group No. 7 - expressed: "I have attended the flag-raising ceremony many times in my life but have never felt as moved or sacred as this time. I am a thousand times grateful to the Party and great Uncle Ho."

Lieutenant Colonel Do The Tuyen, Commander of Truong Sa Lon Island, said that the officers, soldiers and people here were very happy to receive the love from the mainland. He was moved: "We must be even more grateful to our ancestors, our forefathers - those who laid the first stone to conquer the sea, build the border, and hand over to their descendants the right to control the sky and sea. We vow to firmly hold our guns to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland."

Having lived on the island for many years, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung and his wife, Ms. Le Thi Truc Ha, have never missed a flag-raising ceremony. Every Monday, they bring their two children to the flag-raising ceremony.

"The children have schools, classrooms, and places to play on the island. The national anthem was taught by the soldiers, so they sing it in time. We are very proud and confident that they will be future soldiers, following in the footsteps of the Navy soldiers to protect Vietnam's sovereignty over the sea and islands," Mr. Hung confided.

Units on the island, including the militia and people, attended the flag-raising ceremony.

According to Rear Admiral Hoang Hong Ha, Deputy Commander of the Navy, for many years now, thanks to the attention of the Party, State, Government, Central Military Commission, Ministry of National Defense , ministries, branches, localities, people nationwide and overseas Vietnamese, the appearance of Truong Sa has changed significantly. People's lives have been increasingly improved; the relationship between the army and the people is always close and united.

Rear Admiral Hoang Hong Ha said that the flag-raising ceremony at the beginning of the week on the islands of Truong Sa archipelago has been maintained for many years. Thereby, it arouses the spirit of patriotism, indomitable will, and national pride to give more strength to officers and soldiers guarding the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland. In response to the trust of the Party, State and people, with steadfast political will and determination, officers and soldiers of the Navy always overcome all hardships and challenges, ready to accept difficulties to successfully complete all tasks.

Rear Admiral Hoang Hong Ha emphasized: "The Navy is a united, proactive, and creative bloc; exploiting and effectively using resources to build Truong Sa to become increasingly developed, truly strong in defense, good in ethics and lifestyle, and beautiful in landscape and environment"...

The flag-raising ceremony that day will forever be imprinted in my mind and feelings whenever I think of the Truong Sa archipelago. We are even more proud of Truong Sa, proud of the soldiers who are day and night guarding the sky and sea to "keep our Vietnamese homeland strong".

The national flag is the sacred soul of the mountains and rivers, the strength of the entire nation. How sacred it is when, at the front line of the Fatherland, we witness with our own eyes the red flag with yellow star flying on the sovereignty marker of Truong Sa.

I hope that one day in the not too distant future, on all the islands and island points of the beloved Truong Sa archipelago, there will be "National Flag Lines" from the program "Proud of the National Flag" of the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bien-dao/cuoc-thi-viet-chu-quyen-quoc-gia-bat-kha-xam-pham-thieng-lieng-le-chao-co-o-truong-sa-20231021201430726.htm