Memorial song of the sea

Memorial ceremony for martyrs who died at sea at DK1. Photo: Mai Thang

Tragic memories of the first three martyrs of DK1

To learn more about the 10 DK1 martyrs, we went to the home of Lieutenant Colonel Bui Xuan Bong - the person considered the "card number 1" with the most detailed information about the sacrifice of the first three DK1 martyrs in the storm that collapsed the Phuc Tan 3 platform in 1989 of the 20th century.

After 32 years of working with 15 DK1 platforms, veteran Bong returned to civilian life with the courage and pride of a “sea wolf” who has weathered the storms and the wind. Although he has “hung up his sword”, the memories of the days with his comrades “living with the sea, having joys and sorrows with the sea” at Phuc Tan platform that year are unforgettable. Bong said, “My military life is closely linked to DK1. My youth was dedicated to the sea. Those were the proudest days.”

The most beautiful life of a soldier is to be able to dedicate oneself to the Fatherland, no matter how difficult it is, it is an honor. It is just a pity that one cannot contribute more.

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Xuan Bong

Veteran Bong recounted. 30 years ago, on the afternoon of December 4, a tornado suddenly hit the southern continental shelf. Phuc Tan platform (DK1/3) was right at the "center of the tornado". Waves like roofs rolled up from the seabed and "hit" the platform hard. The sea was boiling, the platform swayed like bamboo. Phuc Tan 3 platform at that time was designed in the form of a deck, secured by 4 chains anchored to coral. The height from the sea surface to the working platform (where soldiers rest) was 7 meters. At that height, it could only withstand level 6 waves.

Faced with the destructive power of the tornado in the middle of the night, 9 officers and soldiers calmly took pieces of wood that had popped up from the working floor, tied them together into a raft and left the platform. “At 3am on December 5, 1990, a wave as big as a mountain came crashing down and completely collapsed the Phuc Tan platform, sweeping the 9 of us into the sea. The platform collapsed, we clung to the wooden planks and swam in the middle of the sea. Honestly, the hope of survival at that time was very high. No one dared to say the word death (for fear of that happening).

Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Quang, who was then the Deputy Political Station Chief, told me: “If I die, go back and tell my family. My parents are in Ha Tay.” Quang gave his life jacket to his comrade along with a piece of dry food. At that moment, Quang was sucked into the waves and drowned in the sea. Doctor Tran Van La and electromechanical soldier Ho Van Hien were also drowned by the storm soon after. Those were the first three martyrs of the DK1 platform,” Bong recalled.

I love you so much, Nghe An people.

As of July 27, Battalion DK1 has had 10 martyrs sacrificed, of which 6 martyrs whose bodies will forever remain at sea, 4 martyrs whose graves rest on land. Captain Duong Van Bac from Nghia Dung commune, Tan Ky district (Nghe An) is the 10th martyr of Battalion DK1, and he is also the first son of Nghe An from Battalion DK1 to sacrifice on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland.

One afternoon in mid-July, I went to the small house in alley 1448, 30/4 street, ward 11, Vung Tau to “meet” my comrade who had once lived and worked together at the DK1 platform. On the altar was a portrait of Bac with the words “DK1 will always remember you”. At the foot of that line was a commemorative medal given by the Navy Command to Bac for his outstanding achievements in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. The incense sticks had a faint scent. My eyes were stinging, the image of Bac and the DK1/11 platform came back to me emotionally.

Portrait of martyr Captain Duong Van Bac at his home in Vung Tau. Photo: Mai Thang

Ms. Vuong Thi Tram - wife of martyr Bac looked up at her husband's portrait and tearfully said: "It's been 6 years since Bac sacrificed himself, but I still can't get over it. Every time July 27th comes, I don't know why I want to go to his grave. I'm still single and raising my children. Whenever I feel sad, I take out his portrait and his mementos to look at. It doesn't do anything, but at least it helps to ease the pain" - Ms. Tram shared.

Ms. Vuong Thi Tram - wife of martyr Bac, reviews the relics left by her husband. Photo: Mai Thang

Tram recounted. After 2 years of dating, they got married. When choosing wedding invitations at the restaurant, Bac liked blue, while she liked pink. Bac said he would choose blue invitations to represent the navy waves, but she liked pink because she thought it was the color of passionate love. To please his wife, Bac finally agreed to print pink wedding invitations. Before going to the rig, Bac took the invitation with him and put it in his backpack, saying he would bring it so he wouldn't miss his wife. It's so lonely at sea...

Cemetery of the Immortals

On the DK1 sea area, there is a cemetery without graves like on the mainland. The graves of the heroes are white-capped waves, coral branches that blend into the sea and lie at the bottom of the coral reef. It is called the “immortal cemetery” because every time a navy ship passes through this sea area, they drop flowers in memory, and their names are remembered and passed on to the younger generation.

July - calm sea season. Our ship inspected the training at DK1 platforms and stopped at Tu Chinh and Phuc Nguyen sea areas - where 4 platforms DK1/11, DK1/12, DK1/14 and DK1/15 are stationed. In this sea area, on October 14, 2014, Captain Duong Van Bac heroically sacrificed himself while checking the platform base obstructions after training on the storm season exit plan.

Wreaths for martyrs are thrown into the sea in the rain. Photo: Mai Thang

“Today, in the middle of the sea and sky of DK1, we hold a ceremony to offer incense to commemorate you - the martyrs who heroically fell to protect the mother sea so that the platforms will last forever. Before falling into the sea, Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Quang gave his life jacket and last piece of dry food to his comrades and let the waves carry him away. Captain Vu Quang Chuong jumped into the sea in the dark night with the national flag tightly held in his arms. Captain Duong Van Bac passed away forever, leaving behind his young wife and two very young sons... All those pains and losses cannot be compensated for. But it is the source of sacrifice for a great cause, for the longevity of each sovereignty marker at sea. Your names are engraved in the history of the platforms. The Vietnamese people will forever remember the merits of the martyrs, the people will forever be grateful to you - those who are considered heroes of DK1 in times of peace and silence. With this wreath, we respectfully bow to your souls. May you live forever in the heart of the mother sea. DK1 will live forever, forever is the Vietnamese posture in the middle of the Fatherland's sea".

From the silver-haired man to the young soldier who first set foot on the train to DK1, everyone could not contain their emotions.

As for me - a young officer who has been working for 17 years in DK1 - I am also in the same mood. I would like to dedicate to you a poem from my heart, as a memorial song for July, so that you will be eternally in the heart of the ocean.

31 years later, DK1 is still loyal
Amidst the stormy sea
Comrades - each one goes his own way
Where do you lie, under the white-capped waves?

Bac, Chuong, Hong! Where are you?
Under the deep sea or red coral branch
Tu Chinh and Phuc Nguyen are still there.
Sovereignty milestone amidst stormy waves.

You are forever for the glory of the Fatherland.
To keep the sea peaceful, for future generations
This memorial and the stories told
Forever your name, the martyrs of the sea
Your names will be remembered forever.