Shining spirit for the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland

I was fortunate to visit Truong Sa twice. Each voyage left many unforgettable emotions and there was a very sacred and touching event when the group passed through the Co Lin sea area to hold a memorial service for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives on March 14, 1988 to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. In early 1988, China showed its intention to invade some reefs of our Truong Sa archipelago. With the determination "Protecting the sea and islands of the Fatherland is a sacred and noble duty, the command of the soldier's heart", the Navy forces bravely overcame all difficulties and hardships, racing against time to consolidate and strengthen our position in the archipelago area; strictly implementing countermeasures, restraining to the maximum extent for the noble gesture - maintaining peace and friendship between the parties.

Drop flowers into the sea of Co Lin to commemorate the heroic martyrs.

However, despite justice and reason, knowing that it could not overcome the strong will and iron determination of the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy, on March 14, 1988, China brazenly launched a military attack on Vietnam's waters. China sank and burned three transport ships and occupied a number of our reefs. This was an unequal battle because the officers and soldiers of the transport ships and our island-building engineering forces had only hoes, shovels, crowbars and infantry guns in their hands, while China had a powerful force of warships equipped with modern weapons.

Although they knew they would be sacrificed, they were determined not to retreat, bravely and tenaciously fought to protect the sea and islands until their last breath. That is the heroic sacrifice of the martyr, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Duc Thong - Deputy Brigade Commander of Brigade 146; martyr, Captain Vu Phi Tru - Captain of ship HQ 604. Martyr, Second Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong - Deputy Commander of Gac Ma Island, in the face of the enemy's attack, calmly commanded the troops to protect the ship, holding the national flag on the island. Before sacrificing himself, Second Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong bravely wrapped the national flag around his body, encouraging his comrades "Do not retreat, let your blood redden the national flag and the glorious tradition of the Army Corps". That was the hero, captain, Major Vu Huy Le, in the face of the situation of losing the island at the last moment, calmly and intelligently commanded the ship HQ 505 to fight and quickly rush to Co Lin Shoal so that the ship could become a fortress and an inviolable sovereignty landmark. They sacrificed themselves with a bright spirit of determination to win, further enhancing the noble qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers".

At the memorial ceremony, the Command of Naval Region 4 affirmed that it is committed to forever following in the footsteps of the previous generation, worthy of the trust and ideals; determined to devote all its efforts to the cause of building and firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland; worthy of the merits and noble sacrifices of the heroic martyrs. With that determination, it is believed that the officers and soldiers on the islands of Truong Sa archipelago today always fulfill their tasks well. Reality has proven that over the years, the officers and soldiers on the islands and island points of Truong Sa archipelago have always proactively overcome all difficulties, both guarding and being ready to fight, training, and increasing production, excellently completing the assigned tasks, worthy of being "Uncle Ho's soldiers", worthy of the trust entrusted by the Party, State and people.

Along with the whole country, Binh Thuan regularly organizes delegations to visit cadres, soldiers and people of Truong Sa island district. In 2023, comrade Phan Van Dang - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, leaders of the Provincial Military Command and other sectors also visited units, encouraged cadres, soldiers and people on Truong Sa archipelago and DK1 platform.

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