In tune with the sacred sea and islands

Journalists with Truong Sa

Career opportunities have helped many journalists have the opportunity to visit Truong Sa - the sacred island and sea of ​​the Fatherland. For all of them, it was a very valuable voyage, not only helping them expand their own experiences, multiply their love for the country and homeland, but also helping them see more clearly their responsibility to propagate and refute false and distorted arguments about the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, strengthen the great national unity bloc, firmly protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The Journalist & Public Opinion newspaper recorded some of their feelings and experiences.

According to the representative of the Navy ( Ministry of National Defense ), from the beginning of the year until before our working group started its voyage (around mid-April 2024), nearly 15,000 delegates had registered to go to Truong Sa. That demonstrates the special attention of the Central and local Ministries, Departments, branches, political and social organizations, businesses, entrepreneurs and overseas Vietnamese towards the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

During the working trip, our delegation visited, encouraged, and presented gifts to the soldiers and people at 5 island locations in the Truong Sa archipelago, DK1/8 platform, lighthouses, meteorological stations, patrol ships, etc. Witnessing the difficult and arduous life and harsh weather conditions with scorching hot days, sometimes fierce storms that our officers, soldiers, and people have to face every day, I feel proud and understand more clearly the great contributions and glorious feats of generations who have steadfastly stuck to their positions, day and night protecting every inch of land and the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. I love the sea and islands even more and realize my responsibility in promoting and encouraging activities towards the sea and islands of my homeland.

Journalist Nguyen Huong.

In recent years, with the attention of the Party and the State, many working delegations have come to the army and people of Truong Sa island district and DK1 platform, creating a meaningful and vigorous movement "The whole country for Truong Sa, Truong Sa for the whole country". These movements not only bring the island closer to the mainland but also affirm that the cause of protecting sacred sovereignty in the middle of the sea belongs to the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army.

Responding to the sentiments and expectations of the whole country, the Navy has been striving, overcoming all difficulties, building each island, island point, and platform into: "Strong in defense, good in lifestyle, beautiful in landscape and environment, and exemplary in military-civilian relations". Working trips like ours are living proof of the efforts and outstanding efforts of the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army and the great results of the movements towards the beloved sea and islands. The delegates have had useful experiences, left beautiful impressions and memories, and provided valuable practical information to advise local Party committees and authorities to deploy many effective solutions, together with the armed forces to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

One of the most memorable moments for anyone visiting Truong Sa is the flag-raising ceremony on the large Truong Sa island. Before the sovereignty milestone, under the bright red flag fluttering in the sea breeze, each lyric of the National Anthem resounds with a heroic, sacred and proud atmosphere, firmly affirming the inviolable sovereignty of the Fatherland.

The flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa Lon Island is a symbol of the resilience and indomitability of the Vietnamese people. Every participant in the flag-raising ceremony felt the spirit of solidarity, iron will and strong patriotism. Tears fell not only because of pride but also because of being moved by the silent sacrifices of the soldiers at the forefront. It was truly a deeply emotional experience!

Rear Admiral Hoang Hong Ha - Deputy Commander of the Navy emphasized: "The national flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa archipelago has a particularly important meaning, so that officers, soldiers and people understand that in any circumstances, officers and soldiers are absolutely loyal to the Party, the State, the People and are ready to fight, sacrifice, protect the Fatherland, protect the People, protect the regime. The flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa island also affirms that the working regime and regulations of the Vietnam People's Army will always be strictly maintained everywhere, even in remote islands, nearly 1,000 km from the mainland".

Journalists & Public Opinion Newspaper visits Truong Sa soldiers. Photo: Son Hai

Another unforgettable event for me was the “Memorial Ceremony for officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland” in the sea near Gac Ma, Co-Lin, and Len Dao islands. Here, more than 36 years ago, on March 14, 1988, a heroic battle took place between officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Navy against the invading enemy to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

The sea areas of Gac Ma, Co-Lin, Len Dao will forever become the heroic epic of the nation. With respect and infinite sorrow, the delegation respectfully bowed before the souls of the martyrs - the outstanding sons of the Vietnamese people who devoted their lives for the integrity of the sea and islands. After the incense offering ceremony, the delegation released flower trays, offerings, flower lanterns, paper cranes... into the waters of Truong Sa, praying for the souls of the martyrs to be liberated. In the sacred and emotional atmosphere of the Memorial Ceremony, many delegates could not hold back their tears.

For delegates and especially journalists like me, the Memorial Ceremony is not only an event to record but also an opportunity to understand more deeply about the history and brave spirit of the soldiers. The stories about the Gac Ma battle, about the heroic martyrs' resilience in protecting every inch of land, every nautical mile became a strong source of inspiration for articles in the newspaper...

The sea and islands are a sacred part of the territory, the flesh and blood of the motherland Vietnam, and have a particularly important strategic position in the cause of building, developing and protecting the country. Currently, with the complex fluctuations in the East Sea, protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands has become more urgent than ever. The belief and responsibility to protect Truong Sa and the sea and islands of the Fatherland need to be strengthened and spread strongly.

The business trip helped me feel more clearly the resilience and determination to maintain sovereignty over the sea and islands of the soldiers, military forces and people in Truong Sa. Returning to the mainland, I told myself that I would work harder with my colleagues in propaganda work, to spread awareness, arouse patriotism in every citizen, "beat together" in the cause of protecting the sea and islands, so that Vietnam can truly be a strong maritime nation, developed from the sea and rich from the sea.

Nguyen Huong

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nha-bao-nguyen-huong-bao-nha-bao-va-cong-luan-hoa-chung-nhip-dap-voi-bien-dao-thieng-lieng-post299601.html