Truong Sa is always in our hearts
Preparing for the voyage to visit and send Tet greetings to the officers, soldiers and people living on Truong Sa Archipelago through the Command of Naval Region 4, close to the ship’s departure date, the press eagerly formed groups to exchange and get to know each other before the trip.
Some people have been to Truong Sa previously, but most of them are going for the first time. Although they have not met each other before, they feel a deep sympathy. In addition to the necessary items, we all think about what to do to preserve the precious memories of the trip? Many people who have been there share their experiences, add a travel permit (not finalised), or a national flag to bring along the whole journey to each island to ask for the seal and signature of the island chief to bring back to keep. Some people wish to ask Truong Sa for a small handful of soil to bring back to the mainland, or to pick up a coral stone to preserve the salty taste of the sea.
The Tet gifts brought to Truong Sa this year are taken care of with all their heart. In addition to food, necessities, tea, jam, sticky rice candy, dong leaves, etc., there are also seasick pigs lying flat under the stern of the ship; kumquats and peaches tied tightly on both sides of the ship; bicycles, children’s toys, and so on — as messy as a big family’s spring trip.
Nguyen Van Thanh, a member of the ship, was excited because Nhat Tan peach blossoms (Hanoi) were present on the beloved islands. The peach blossoms were ordered from Nhat Tan Flower Village, and the owner devoted a lot of effort to taking care of them, timing them perfectly with the hope that the peach blossoms would bloom on the island during the Tet holiday so that the people and soldiers of Truong Sa could celebrate a warm and full Tet like in their homeland.
Another interesting thing is that there are quite a lot of orchids on Truong Sa Island. Regarding this, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tien Diep, Truong Sa Island’s political commissar, said that for many years orchids have been received as a loving Tet gift from businessman Phan Thanh Sang, Chairman of the Dalat Flower Association, to the people and soldiers of Truong Sa.
Truong Sa is now a beautiful and prosperous green island. The medicinal herb garden of Truong Sa town’s medical centre is small but quite diverse. The land strips and styrofoam boxes used by the military and civilians to grow green vegetables are a familiar and simple presence. With electricity and fresh water, the lives of the military and civilians on the island have improved a lot compared to before. The military and civilians have also taken the initiative to have green vegetables in their daily meals in recent years.
Taking us around the island, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quang Phu enthusiastically introduced the green trees and the aspiration to green Truong Sa that the officers and soldiers are still striving to realise every day. Pointing to the rows of nurseries covered with black nets reaching up to the waist, the naval officer’s voice was excited: “Rains like this make the soldiers train hard, but the green trees on the island are watered and fed well. Just last week, the sea was rough, the white-capped waves crashed into the rows of casuarinas surrounding the island, the leaves were almost burned. But then, the rain came and washed away the sea salt that was stuck on the leaves, allowing the trees to revive.”
Many people mistakenly think that the coral soil here is barren, but in reality, it is quite compatible with many types of trees with high economic value that are being experimentally planted on the island, such as noni, candleberry, date palm, and banana, in addition to the typical trees here such as banyan, square banyan, casuarina, sea morning glory, and tra tree (commonly known as sea grape tree). Besides greening the island, the army and people of Truong Sa also voluntarily take on the responsibility of sharing and supporting seedlings for neighbouring islands such as An Bang and Da Tay.
Warm spring on the islands
Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tien Diep is the one who always cares about taking care of the spiritual life of officers and soldiers. On the island for many years, there has been a tradition that has been increasingly promoted, that is, during Tet holidays, especially New Year’s Eve, commanders at all levels assign each other to call to wish the families and relatives of their subordinates a Happy New Year, ensuring that all of the families and relatives of officers and soldiers on the island receive calls from their superiors to wish them a Happy New Year as well as to encourage and catch up with them. This is a very important content to ensure that the whole army is excited to welcome Tet. In recent days, the unit’s leaders have paid great attention to the Tet celebration activities for the entire army and people on the island, ensuring the criteria for a happy and safe Tet, but never forgetting the task of maintaining high combat readiness.
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Before the ship departed, Tet was brought from the mainland to the army and people on the islands of Truong Sa Archipelago. (Photo: D.V.T) |
Tet in Truong Sa now has many traditional features so that the soldiers and people on the island always feel warm as if they were living in their own homeland. Many activities such as organising banh chung wrapping competitions, cooking and presenting Tet dishes; playing quiz games, folk games, football, volleyball, etc., for the entire army and people to participate in create a joyful atmosphere to welcome Tet, and to feel truly peaceful and warm in their homeland Truong Sa.
Lieutenant Colonel Can Ngoc Son, Commander of Truong Sa Island, said: “Over the years, we have always promoted the tradition of heroic fighting to carry out our tasks with a spirit of solidarity, proactiveness, flexibility, and creativity in all situations. Although life is still difficult, the feelings of comradeship, the love between the army and the people are stronger and more steadfast. Wishing the soldiers and people on the island to have a warm and happy Tet, the officers and soldiers always do not forget their duties, always heighten their vigilance and are ready to fight.”
Fortunately, we were in Truong Sa on the last day of 2024. We lit incense at the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs, then gently entered the only pagoda on the island. The scent of incense wafted in the quiet space with only the murmur of the waves, each person was filled with emotion and deep gratitude.
On the day ship 561 arrived on the island, Lieutenant Colonel Dr Nong Huu Tho and the entire team had just successfully given emergency treatment to a fisherman with appendicitis who had been drifting at sea for 72 hours to Truong Sa. Doctor Nong Huu Tho works at Military Hospital 175, Ho Chi Minh City, specialising in thoracic surgery. In January 2024, he was assigned to work at Truong Sa Medical Centre. On the day he left the island, Doctor Tho did not have time to attend the graduation ceremony. It is expected that after completing his mission this time, the school will organise a late graduation ceremony for him. Asked about this, the young Nung ethnic doctor smiled shyly: “That is no longer necessary, after completing the mission on the island and returning to the unit, I still have a lot of work to do.”
We bid farewell to Truong Sa on a day of pouring rain. The cadres, soldiers, monks, teachers, people... stood on the island, while we were on the deck of the ship. Arms waved forever. Tears were quickly wiped away. The singing of those who left and those who stayed blended into the waves:
Day after day, night after night
We stand here to protect our homeland.
This sea is ours, this island is ours, Truong Sa.
No matter the storm, no matter the hardships
We will overcome...
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Truong Sa stands blue in the middle of the ocean. (Photo: Trung Kien) |
These beautiful days will soon become unforgettable memories. Those were the early mornings standing on the deck of the ship watching the peaceful sea, a few seagulls swooping down to the water to steal fish; after sudden rains, the sun shines brightly across the sky, we recapture the feeling of childhood when we discover a rainbow suddenly appearing brilliantly. Those are the deep ocean nights, anxiously holding each other tightly to overcome danger when suddenly there are storms, the sea rolls and the canoe of the working group rises and falls on the waves. Above all, more deeply imbued with the word of sovereignty with the sacred lands in the middle of the ocean of the Fatherland...
