Journalist Chi Tuan remembers forever the sacred moment

“Break time is over! Wake up call, wake up call!”

Truong Sa has always been a dream land to set foot on once in a lifetime for many people. Because this is a symbol of solidarity, national pride, and love for the homeland. When I held the decision to work in Truong Sa, I was surprised, not believing that my long-time dream had now come true.

Our 12-day voyage to Truong Sa left us with many mixed memories and emotions. It was a “closed” meeting between the representatives of the Navy’s Political Department and journalists to inform them of the voyage’s itinerary, the regulations for disseminating information about the sea and islands, and the advantages and disadvantages of working in Truong Sa and DK1 Platform.

The first task our group of journalists had to do was to prepare an internal radio news report after arriving at each island and submit it to the Editorial Board for broadcast at 9pm every day. The difficulty was that there was no internet or mobile phone network, so information and data for news and articles were more difficult; at the same time, the process of editing text and computers was always shaking with the rhythm of the waves hitting the ship's hull. However, overcoming difficulties and hardships, each journalist completed a news report that was over 20 minutes long.

Journalist Chi Tuan works in Truong Sa.

After more than a day of “settling in” on the ship, we heard the loudspeaker in each room: “MC Quang Tien and Mai Hoa respectfully greet the leaders and all comrades! This is the internal radio program on Ship 571 of the working group visiting and inspecting the soldiers and people of Truong Sa island district, DK1 Platform”. About an hour more to reach the first island - Song Tu Tay.

Song Tu Tay Island is the highest in the Truong Sa archipelago, where there are special structures: The Truong Sa archipelago sovereignty stele is recognized as a national historical relic, a solid evidence affirming Vietnam's national sovereignty in the East Sea; The ancient Phong Ba tree is recognized as a Vietnamese heritage tree; Song Tu Tay meteorological and oceanographic observation station - one of the meteorological and oceanographic stations in the Truong Sa archipelago, with the task of daily weather forecasting; The monument of the Duke and Commander Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan; Song Tu Tay pagoda towers over the East Sea; The lighthouse is likened to a "divine eye" marking coordinates, serving as a support point for Vietnamese fishermen when going to sea to exploit and catch seafood. In particular, the ecological environment here is quite favorable for raising pigs, chickens, ducks, and growing many types of green vegetables that are fresh all year round.

However, one of the things that impressed us the most during the entire journey was the loudspeaker that was broadcast regularly at 5am, with the command: “Break time is over! Wake up call, wake up call. Wake up call, wake up call” . Hearing the command, without anyone telling anyone, everyone jumped up, all the fatigue caused by seasickness was dispelled. Excitement appeared on everyone’s face. In addition, there were many other sentences such as “Time for dinner”; “Time for the chief to board”…

"Logistics" work on Navy ship 571.

Remember the sacred moment

There are still many memories throughout the 12-day journey, with a voyage of more than 1,000 nautical miles, we visited 7 island destinations including Song Tu Tay, Sinh Ton Dong, Len Dao, Da Dong A, Da Tay B, Truong Sa and DK 1/11 platform. On the islands, from the floating islands to the submerged islands, although the conditions were still difficult, everywhere we saw optimistic smiles, steadfast in protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. Those were beautiful images that could never be forgotten.

But perhaps the most touching and proud was the flag-raising ceremony, the parade and the reading of the 10 honorary oaths of the Vietnam People's Army. The memorial service for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives on the Truong Sa archipelago to protect the island and the sea of ​​sovereignty in the Gac Ma battle on March 14, 1988. Amidst the waves, an emotional and meaningful memorial service brought a very special pride to each delegate. 36 years ago, 64 soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy fought steadfastly and heroically sacrificed their lives in the battle to protect Gac Ma island, the Truong Sa archipelago under Vietnam's sovereignty. The fallen heroes formed an "immortal circle" forever engraved in history books, writing a heroic and tragic epic about the spirit of sacrifice, adding to the glorious tradition of fighting to build and defend the country of the Vietnamese people.

Journalists from Working Group No. 6 (2024) work at sea in the area of ​​Tay B Da Island, in the Truong Sa sea area, Vietnam.

Especially the moment of saying goodbye to the soldiers and people on Truong Sa island. Everyone turned towards the pier, where the Navy officers, people and children stood in a long line waving their hands and shouting “The Fatherland for Truong Sa, Truong Sa for the Fatherland”! I felt my heart sink, looking to the side and saw tears falling on the faces of the members of the working group. Returning to the mainland, I felt that I had to try harder to do a good job of spreading the spirit of patriotism, love for the homeland’s sea and islands to my friends and relatives, contributing a small part to the cause of protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Chi Tuan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nha-bao-chi-tuan-bao-dai-bieu-nhan-dan-nho-mai-giay-phut-linh-thieng-post299604.html