Le Thi Ky is the younger sister of Le Ba Giang, one of the 64 soldiers who heroically sacrificed their lives at Gac Ma Island on March 14, 1988. Giang and I are the same age, and our houses are only about 400 meters apart. After liberation, life was extremely difficult. Giang and I, like many other families, did not have enough food or clothes. Herding buffalo, cutting grass, picking pigweed, gleaning rice, catching fish... we children, both innocent and quiet, grew up like cassava and sweet potatoes. In 1987, when he was just 19 years old, Giang volunteered to join the army... From then on, we did not see each other again.
The day Giang sacrificed, the people of my hometown Hung Dung were shocked and deeply saddened. You were the first and only martyr in the commune to sacrifice in the Truong Sa archipelago, and also the first and only martyr to have his death reported publicly and on the Voice of Vietnam radio.
Recalling that painful day, Ms. Le Thi Ky confided: “It was so painful, brother. My brother Giang enlisted in the army in March 1987, and had just finished training in Quang Ninh when he was ordered to march to the South. On the night of the 29th of Tet that year, hearing that his unit would move to Vinh station, my mother bought meat, wrapped banh chung with my father and took him to the station to wait for the train to send him a little Tet from home. But perhaps because of military secrets, the train did not stop. My mother brought banh chung back in tears. After Tet, the family received a letter from Giang, he said: I am preparing to board the train to the island.
Then a few days later, we received the news that he had died. My house was right next to the commune loudspeaker. Every day, everyone waited to hear the “Radio Story” on Sunday mornings, the “Caution Story” on Saturday evenings, and the “Poetry Voice” every night. I still remember clearly that day when the whole village was listening to the news, the Voice of Vietnam radio station broadcast a special news bulletin about Truong Sa, announcing the list of 64 martyrs who had died at Gac Ma Island… My whole family clearly heard Giang’s name, my parents and everyone collapsed, in pain…”.
I also heard: Mr. Le Ba Truong (Le Ba Giang’s uncle) was sitting “listening to the radio” at the neighbor’s house. When the announcer read “Le Ba Giang, Hung Dung commune, Vinh city, Nghe Tinh province…”. He collapsed for a few minutes and then screamed, “Giang is dead!”. He rushed out into the street and ran towards Van Tan hamlet, while running he cried “Dad, mom, Giang is dead”. Everything happened so quickly, grief suddenly covered the poor countryside. Without anyone telling anyone, everyone ran to Uncle Le Ba Nghi’s house (martyr Giang’s father)… The tears of the people of Lang Do Village just blended together.
My friend passed away when he was just 20 years old. A few years ago, the navy sent someone to take DNA samples, but unfortunately, Giang was not among the remains found. Giang's father is 87 years old this year, seriously ill and bedridden. Giang's mother is 81 years old and her health is also very poor. They still live in a small "charity" house in Van Trung block, Hung Dung ward, Vinh city.
By chance, at the end of 2023, beginning of 2024, I had the opportunity to visit the Truong Sa archipelago. When the list was approved, a representative of the Naval Region 4 Command called to inform me of the schedule. I immediately called Ky. On the other end of the line, she was choked up and speechless.
According to the schedule, I was at Cam Ranh military port. The list of 4 groups going on 4 ships was kept secret until the last minute. I suddenly worried because out of 4 ships, only 1 was going on the North route, where Co Lin, Len Dao and Gac Ma were... A few minutes before boarding the ship, the list was announced. I was on ship 571 heading North. Oh, so our voyage would pass by the place where my friend sacrificed and lay...
The ship departed at 4pm on January 3rd, after two days and two nights at sea we arrived at Song Tu Tay Island. One of the important things I did on the island was to visit the pagoda, where there was a stele with the names of 64 martyrs. My friend was there, Le Ba Giang, number 12. I lit incense for my friend and comrades and then called Ky…
Five days later, a memorial service for the 64 soldiers who died protecting Truong Sa was held right on the deck of the ship. Honestly, with nearly 60 years of age and 36 years of work and activity, I have attended many memorial services, but I must say this is the most special and emotional memorial service. A few days before, the ship's loudspeaker had broadcast an announcement about the memorial service along with songs about Truong Sa. The night before the memorial service, the Organizing Committee announced on the loudspeaker: "Attention everyone on board. Tomorrow morning, the memorial service for the 64 soldiers who died in the Truong Sa sea area will be held right on the deck. Everyone is required to dress neatly. Gather at exactly 6:30 to attend the memorial service." That night, everyone on board shared the same restless mood.
Len Dao, Co Lin and Gac Ma are three island clusters less than 10 nautical miles apart. These are extremely important strategic locations at sea. I do not want to recount the Gac Ma battle because in today's era, with just one click, readers can have all the information about it. I just want to say that it was one of the most heroic, courageous and painful battles in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands. That war robbed us of 64 heroic sons and Gac Ma island, a sacred territory of the Fatherland.
According to the announcement from the Organizing Committee, the memorial ceremony would take place at 6:30, but everyone was present from 6:00 a.m. The sea was slightly rough, the ship tilted back and forth, swaying with each wave. On the "rooftop" of the 3rd floor, where the memorial ceremony took place, everything was carefully and solemnly prepared. On the red backdrop was printed the words "Memorial Ceremony...". Below was a "field" altar decorated with flowers in the shape of the national flag. On the altar was an incense burner. Right in front of the altar was a wreath with a yellow star. On both sides were two rows of honor guards in solemn uniforms. The incense smoke dissipated in the wind with the background music of the memorial, the voice of Lieutenant Colonel Bui Van Que - Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 146: "Before the souls of our comrades, we swear to be determined to protect Truong Sa, to protect every inch of the sacred land of the Fatherland...". Everyone took turns offering incense, tears streaming down. After the incense offering ceremony and the memorial speech. Wreaths and altars were tied with ropes and released into the sea. Paper cranes and chrysanthemums were released into the sea by soldiers and working groups.
On the deck, I lit incense. I threw into the sea for you and your teammates a handful of soil, a chrysanthemum flower, and a paper crane. I lit a cigarette for you and then threw the remaining cigarettes into the deep, blue sea. The cigarettes, the flowers, the paper cranes kept floating on the waves, drifting away into the distance. Sitting by the water's edge, peeling cookies for you and your teammates... I felt like you were very near, I whispered to you. “Giang, I never thought I would meet you in such a special way. Well, we are separated by the world, so I can only send you a small gift instead of my heart on earth. I hope you and your comrades live a wise life and die a holy death, and bless everyone with good health, for the country to be safe and peaceful, for the country to be peaceful and developed. The country and its people have recognized your merits. I want to tell you that my homeland, family and friends always remember you, are always proud of you. I hope you are liberated and at peace in the eternal world with the ocean, my friend.” I took out my phone and called Ky. On the other end of the line, Ky whispered, “Brother, on behalf of my family, I would like to thank you. Thank you very much.” Her voice choked up and she hung up. I knew that she was crying in her hometown.
The next morning we went to Len Dao island, passed Co Lin and then moved to Sinh Ton. Without anyone telling anyone, everyone rushed out onto the deck, looking back, Gac Ma island, Co Lin and Len Dao gradually became smaller and disappeared in the deep purple sunset of Truong Sa.
