Remember the heroes in the midst of storms
During his voyages to the Truong Sa archipelago, any working group passing through the Gac Ma island area, Colin always stopped to perform a solemn ceremony that has become a traditional ritual - the Memorial Ceremony for the heroic martyrs in the Truong Sa incident in 1988.
In May 2011, also in this sea area, the ship HQ996 carrying our working group to Truong Sa anchored in the middle of the sea to once again pay tribute to the heroes who had heroically sacrificed for the cause of protecting the Fatherland. As soon as the sun rose, the ship slowly entered the waters of Gac Ma island, the members of the working group gathered neatly on the deck to hold a memorial ceremony. When the ship HQ996 sounded its horn three times, causing the waves and wind to calm down, Rear Admiral Le Van Dao - Deputy Commander of the Navy was moved to recall the heroic moments of the brave sacrifices 23 years ago: that is Heroic martyr, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Duc Thong - Deputy Commander of Group 146; Heroic martyr, Captain Vu Phi Tru - Captain of Ship HQ 604; Heroic martyr, Second Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong wrapped the national flag around his body and encouraged his comrades not to retreat; Hero Nguyen Van Lanh fought steadfastly, was seriously wounded but did not leave the battlefield, determined to defend the island to the end. That was Hero, Captain Vu Huy Le, faced with the situation of losing the island at the last moment, calmly and cleverly commanded the ship HQ 505 to both fight with enemy ships and quickly bring the ship to Colin Shoal so that the ship could become a floating warship and also to affirm sovereignty... Holding incense sticks and white chrysanthemums, everyone came to the memorial table, respectfully bowed, tears rolled down their cheeks, sobs from their hearts could not be expressed in words... Eyes heavy with love for comrades and compatriots turned toward the immense ocean, everyone was moved by the "Uncle Ho's soldiers" qualities of the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy.
Ceremony of releasing flowers into the sea
Major Vo Cat Khanh - captain of ship HQ996 emotionally said: "Every year our ship makes dozens of trips, bringing working groups to Truong Sa archipelago, on each trip we perform this solemn ceremony, but every time we review the heroic feats, the brave sacrifices of our teammates and comrades, our hearts are filled with indescribable emotions. The Navy soldiers today silently remind themselves to follow your example and firmly maintain the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland."
Truong Sa today has changed greatly in both appearance and position. With the attention of the Party, State and people, with the spirit of "The whole country for Truong Sa, Truong Sa for the whole country", over the past 23 years, after the event of March 14, 1988, along with the navy soldiers, there are also levels, branches, central agencies, provinces, cities, businesses... and people across the country looking to the sea, getting rich from the sea to protect the sea and islands. "More peace of mind, more warmth", the position to protect the island is getting stronger. Truong Sa today has new constructions serving the material and spiritual life as well as the cultural and spiritual life. The pagodas and memorial houses on the island are all shaded by phong ba trees, as if showing longevity and strong vitality in the face of storms.
Duc Chuyen