A part of our Fatherland's flesh and blood

For many years, the leaders of Binh Thuan province, including Binh Thuan Newspaper, have made many working trips to Truong Sa archipelago to visit and encourage the officers and soldiers who are on duty to protect the island and the Fatherland. During each working trip, the delegation released flower lanterns to commemorate the 64 martyrs of Gac Ma. The image of 64 soldiers forming an "immortal circle" on Gac Ma island on March 14, 1988 has become a monument in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. 36 years ago, on March 14, 1988, the Chinese navy with many warships and modern weapons suddenly attacked the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy who were on duty to protect sovereignty on the submerged island cluster of Gac Ma - Len Dao - Co Lin (belonging to Truong Sa, Khanh Hoa province). They brazenly used military weapons to attack, sinking and burning 3 of our transport ships. To protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, our officers and soldiers fought steadfastly and indomitably, and 64 of our Navy soldiers heroically sacrificed themselves. In that battle, the image of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy standing in a circle, using their bodies to fight against the enemy with many modern weapons, determined to keep the national flag, affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over Gac Ma Island has become the symbol of the "Immortal Circle". In the Truong Sa archipelago of the Fatherland, Sinh Ton Pagoda on Sinh Ton Island is peacefully by the waves. Sinh Ton Pagoda is where the stele of 64 Navy soldiers who immersed themselves in the waves of the Fatherland's ocean 36 years ago is placed. Many officers and soldiers, people of Truong Sa town and fishermen exploiting seafood around the island came to Sinh Ton Pagoda to burn incense and pray for the souls of the heroes. Every year on this day, the pagoda prepares vegetarian food, arranges incense and flowers at the stele to pray for the souls of the heroic martyrs. As for the people on Sinh Ton island, in addition to March 14, on the full moon day, the first day of the lunar month and on holidays, they all go to Sinh Ton pagoda to offer incense in memory, hoping that the heroes will rest in peace and bless the soldiers and people on the island with peace. Of the 64 soldiers who died in the 1988 Gac Ma naval battle, Quang Binh province had the most, with 13 martyrs. On March 14, at the Quang Phuc Martyrs' Cemetery, Ba Don town, Quang Binh province, the local government and people held a ceremony to pay tribute to the 64 soldiers who died in the Gac Ma naval battle. This is also the resting place of Heroic Martyr, Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong, former Deputy Commander of Gac Ma reef, from Quang Phuc ward, Ba Don town, who defied danger and sacrificed his life while determined to protect the national flag. Also at this time, millions of Vietnamese people come to the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial Sites to burn incense and commemorate the 64 Navy soldiers who heroically sacrificed their lives in the Gac Ma naval battle in 1988. The wind tombs in the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial Sites are considered the "homecoming place" of the 64 Gac Ma martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

In order to spread patriotism, national spirit, and determination of Gac Ma cadres and soldiers to today's and future generations, all levels, sectors, localities, agencies, and units in the province have, are, and continue to organize meaningful and appropriate educational activities. All of them demonstrate the respectful gratitude and traditional morality of "When drinking water, remember its source", "Repaying gratitude" of the Vietnamese people to those who have fallen for the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, for the territorial integrity of Vietnam. They have fallen, but their patriotism and steadfast, indomitable fighting spirit live on forever, becoming a source of motivation for our entire Party, people, and army to continue to overcome difficulties to build Truong Sa - Vietnam to be increasingly renewed, prosperous, and developed.

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