Journey of emotions

Days drifting on the waves, no phones, no social networks, just sunshine, wind, dawn, sunset of the sea and islands and days filled with laughter, voices with meaningful group activities, regular meals filled with the love between the army and the people...

Delegates take photos with soldiers during their visit to the island. (Photo: Vu An)

I was lucky to receive a “ticket to board the train” to join Working Group No. 9 led by Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Party Secretary, Political Commissar of the Navy – Head of the working group to visit the military and people of Truong Sa island district and DK1 platform on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland in mid-April.

It was also the first time I set foot on a large fishing control ship like KN-491 for a week-long trip at sea.

The nervousness and anxiety of the first trip to Truong Sa were suddenly dispelled by the friendly atmosphere of the fellow travelers, the warm feelings of the head of the delegation and the leaders of the participating localities and units, and the thoughtful and dedicated preparation of Captain Nguyen Van Tuyen and the officers and soldiers of Region 4, the Fisheries Control Team and the naval forces for the delegation.

Days of "living differently"

After three loud sirens at Cam Ranh port, ship KN-491 left the mainland, hitting the waves to begin its voyage. Like most of the members of the delegation, this was the first time Mr. Ha Son Nhin, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Secretary of Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee, had visited Truong Sa. The emotion, eagerness, excitement and pride of the 70-year-old retired cadre were also the common feelings of most of us.

I still remember on the day of departure, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong told us: “Joining this journey, you will live very special days, experiences very different from everyday life and will receive new, positive energy…”.

Indeed, the seven days on the ship were a journey of “different lives” with all kinds of emotions, helping us temporarily forget our daily lives to devote all our love and care to our homeland’s islands and seas.

The sister who was on the train confided: “On this train, I only see joy. Everyone is equal, no one has any rank, position, profession or signs of age. It has been a long time since I have laughed and talked so much, slept in the same room with many people, had enough meals and on time, and even had white rice in the morning.”

The time to go to the islands sometimes lasts for a whole day, but the schedule on the ship is never boring because it is always filled with common activities, competitions with the theme "Solidarity, loyalty, achievements, victory" with cultural exchange activities, arts, competitions to learn about the sea and islands, arts competitions with the theme "Sea, islands and Navy soldiers", chess competitions, flower arranging competitions, organizing group birthdays... The joyful, enthusiastic and passionate competitive atmosphere of the teams has connected and increased mutual understanding among the members of the delegation from all over the country.

Also to further strengthen the military-civilian relationship, the female delegates of the working group always promptly support and regularly help the kitchen service team and logistics team on the ship. Although they are not familiar with the storms of the voyage, the timely sharing of the delegates is a source of encouragement for the team to continue to complete their tasks well.

Surprised and impressed

During this voyage, the delegation visited seven islands including Da Thi - Sinh Ton - Co Lin - Nui Le B - Toc Tan C - Da Tay A - Truong Sa and DK1/19 Que Duong Platform.

Directly witnessing life on the island and experiencing the storms of Truong Sa, most people feel more deeply the great sacrifices, determination, and indomitable will of the cadres, soldiers, and people on the archipelago, thereby further strengthening their faith in the Party, State, and army and affirming more clearly their love for the sea and islands of their homeland.

In particular, when visiting Truong Sa island, everyone is surprised and moved to see that the island considered the "Capital of Truong Sa island district" is changing day by day, becoming more spacious and beautiful.

National defense works combined with civilian services such as airports, docks, television signal transmitting and receiving stations, satellite telephones, hydrometeorological stations, lighthouses, the Capital Guest House, Truong Sa Pagoda, Uncle Ho's church, the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs, clean energy systems, infirmaries, etc. were built, improving the lives of soldiers and civilians on the island, contributing to the successful implementation of the Party and State's socio-economic development program on the sea and island areas.

The first time he saw the islands, the feelings of Mr. Ngo Duc Hai from Kon Tum province were summed up in two words: "admiration". The question always popped into his mind: "I wonder how, with the difficult conditions of the past, his father was able to go out to sea to discover and preserve these islands?". According to him, this is a great achievement that future generations must remember and be deeply grateful for.

Mr. Hai shared: “Most of the people of Kon Tum are only familiar with vast forests and majestic mountains. The concept of islands is quite strange. Through this trip, with my feelings, real-life witnessing and with the responsibility of a cadre doing propaganda work, I will definitely bring the image of islands and the lives of cadres and soldiers on the islands to the people of Kon Tum.”

The delegation bid farewell to officers and soldiers on the island. (Photo: Vu An)

“The island is home, the sea is homeland”

That is the slogan that the working group can see at all the islands and platforms, like the "heartfelt" words of the officers and soldiers at the forefront of the storm.

Having had many opportunities to meet them, we all felt that the officers and soldiers on the island could not forget the heroic sacrifice of 64 naval officers and soldiers at the Gac Ma Island incident in 1988, as well as the awareness of protecting and preserving the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

In a conversation with us, Lieutenant Phan Van Dat – information officer of Nui Le B island, said that he has been working on the island for more than 60 months. However, if the unit still needs him, the young soldier will continue to volunteer to carry out the mission on this submerged island with many difficulties and shortages.

Not only the feelings of the marine soldiers, each delegate returning to Truong Sa has their own feelings for the homeland's sea and islands.

On the journey from DK 1/19 Que Duong platform back to the mainland, Associate Professor, Doctor, painter Do Lenh Hong Tu, Chairman of the Vietnam Cinema Association, managed to record his notes in verse: “This afternoon at sea, my heart feels heavy. The incense smoke stings my eyes, my heart is filled with remembrance. Sixty-four martyrs guarding Gac Ma. Trying so hard to stop the flow of tears. Letting hundreds of cranes drift to the endless place. Late afternoon, the clouds are full of tears. People from all directions gather here. The sacred souls seem to understand people's hearts.”

During this trip, Mr. Le Ba Hoa - working at the representative office of the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade in Da Nang, "exported poetry" and poured his heart into the pages that could be published as a whole collection about Truong Sa. Delegate Hoang Tho - Deputy Chief of Office of the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development, also became a poet with his emotional feelings:

Sacred territory that moves the soul

Eight destinations – a wonderful journey

In the hearts of 194 delegates

The depth of the two words "homeland"

Thanks to you who create the roads

Bringing the islands closer to the motherland

Give us a strong belief

Sacred Vietnamese land, eternal sea and islands.

Every trip has a beginning and an end, meetings and farewells, but surely each of us, even though we have returned to our daily lives, still cannot forget the impressions of that special journey, as well as will better understand the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh: “In the past, we only had night and forest. Today, we have day, sky, and sea. Our coastline is long and beautiful, we must preserve it.”