The sacred flag-raising ceremony in Truong Sa.

The flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa Lon Island will forever remain etched in my mind and heart whenever I think of the Truong Sa archipelago.

I was fortunate enough to accompany a delegation from Hanoi on a visit to the Truong Sa archipelago in Khanh Hoa province on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country. Six years have passed, but it was a trip I will never forget.

During their 10-day trip, the delegation carried out many meaningful activities at 10 islands and islets 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 the DK1 platform; they also visited and presented gifts to encourage officers, soldiers, and people on the islands.

Naval officers and soldiers stand in formation, performing the national flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa Lon Island.

The submerged islands such as Len Dao, Da Lon, Da Dong, Da Tay, Nui Le, and Da Lat are recognized as strategically important locations; all situated on submerged coral reefs, they face challenging living conditions. However, overcoming all difficulties, the officers and soldiers there remain steadfast, performing their training duties well and remaining ready for any situation.

Setting foot on the island and meeting the naval officers and soldiers carrying out their duties was a great honor for us. My most memorable experience during this trip was participating in the flag-raising ceremony with the officers and the islanders. To this day, the image of the red flag with a yellow star proudly flying amidst the waves and wind on Truong Sa Lon Island during that ceremony remains vivid in my mind.

It was a peaceful Monday morning in the last week of April – the week when the whole country was looking forward to celebrating the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. In the Trường Sa archipelago, the sky was a vast blue, and the sea breeze lifted the red flags with yellow stars, fluttering in the wind.

From early morning, the units stationed on Truong Sa Lon Island lined up in formation. Following protocol, after the flag-raising ceremony and the recitation of the Ten Oaths of Honor of the Vietnam People's Army, the officers and soldiers marched past the Truong Sa sovereignty marker.

Officers and soldiers march past the Trường Sa sovereignty marker.

Along with the soldiers and people of Truong Sa island district, the Hanoi delegation lined up neatly to attend the flag-raising ceremony. Everyone's face radiated joy, pride, and indescribable emotion.

"Attention everyone…" – the commander gave the order. Then, a resounding shout rang out: "Attention… Salute the flag!" Immediately afterwards, the majestic national anthem resounded. We couldn't hold back our emotions; many delegates wept to the tune of "The Marching Song."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc - then Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee and Head of Task Force No. 7 - expressed: "I have attended flag-raising ceremonies many times in my life, but I have never felt so moved or sensed such sacredness as this time. I am eternally grateful to the Party and the great President Ho Chi Minh."

Lieutenant Colonel Do The Tuyen, Commander of Truong Sa Lon Island, said that the officers, soldiers, and people there were very happy to receive the love and affection from the mainland. He said emotionally, "We must be even more grateful to our ancestors and forefathers – those who laid the first stone to conquer the seas, build the nation, and hand over to their descendants the right to control the airspace and sea. We pledge to firmly hold our weapons to safeguard the sacred sovereignty of our Fatherland's islands and seas."

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

"The children now have schools, classrooms, and playgrounds on the island. The national anthem was taught to them by the soldiers, so they sing it in perfect rhythm. We are very proud and confident that these children will be future soldiers, following in the footsteps of the Navy soldiers to protect Vietnam's maritime sovereignty," Hung confided.

Units on the island, including militia and civilians, 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, the State, the Government, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense , ministries, branches, localities, the people of the whole country and Vietnamese expatriates abroad, the appearance of Truong Sa has changed significantly. The lives of the people have been increasingly improved; the bond between the military and the people remains strong and close.

Rear Admiral Hoang Hong Ha stated that the weekly flag-raising ceremony on the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago has been maintained for many years. This ceremony aims to inspire patriotism, indomitable spirit, and national pride, thereby strengthening the resolve of officers and soldiers guarding the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland. In response to the trust of the Party, the State, and the people, with unwavering political resolve and determination, the officers and soldiers of the Navy always overcome all difficulties and challenges, readily accepting hardships to successfully complete all assigned tasks.

Rear Admiral Hoang Hong Ha emphasized: "The Navy is a unified, proactive, and creative force; effectively exploiting and utilizing resources to build Truong Sa into an increasingly developed area, truly strong in defense, good in ethics and lifestyle, and beautiful in terms of environmental landscape..."

That flag-raising ceremony will forever be etched in my mind and heart whenever I think of the Truong Sa archipelago. We are even more proud of Truong Sa, proud of the soldiers who are guarding the skies and seas day and night, ensuring the lasting stability of "our Vietnamese nation."

The national flag is the sacred soul of the land and mountains, the strength of the entire nation. How sacred it is to be at the front lines of our country, witnessing with our own eyes the red flag with a yellow star flying atop the Trường Sa sovereignty marker.

I hope that one day soon, across all the islands and islets of the beloved Truong Sa archipelago, there will be "National Flag Roads" from the "Proud of the National Flag" program 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