My homeland is calling my name!

(Baonghean) - In the sweltering heat of early June, the atmosphere of young people joining hands to support their homeland's islands and seas at the Nghe An Military School felt even more intense. Hands clasped together, millions of hearts beating in unison, hướng towards their homeland's islands and seas. This is also the message that the "Exchange Program: Nghe An Youth with the Homeland's Islands and Seas" aims to convey…

The program opened with the song "I am listening to my homeland calling my name," a rallying cry that ignited thousands of hearts and minds with a burning desire to do something meaningful to contribute to safeguarding our sacred maritime territory. Emotions were stirred when listening to Mr. Vo Trung Tao, who participated in the liberation of Truong Sa in 1975, recount: “At 2:00 AM on April 22, 1975, our platoon, numbered 125, was ordered to dive underwater and attack Song Tu Tay Island. In just two hours, we had secured sovereignty over this island. Building on this victory, my comrades and I continued to completely liberate Son Ca, Sinh Ton, and Nam Yet islands. After securing sovereignty over Truong Sa, I and 17 comrades were assigned to remain on Sinh Ton Island to restore the Vietnamese maritime sovereignty marker. Words cannot express the pride and sacredness of those early days of reclaiming sovereignty…”

We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Gac Ma battle.

With the country unified and the nation reunited, it was thought that our people would live in peace, healing the wounds of war and building a developed country. But in the open sea, with its ambitions, China carried out acts of occupying some submerged islands and reefs to establish military bases, in order to gain a foothold in the Spratly Islands. At this time, our army had to face challenges in the task of protecting the territorial waters of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. Le Huu Thao, who directly fought on March 14, 1988, then a squad leader, directly commanding the soldiers protecting the national flag on Gac Ma Island, emotionally recalled: “When watching the developments in the East Sea, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger remembering the sacrifice of 60 of our soldiers on March 14, 1988.”

Back then, our soldiers only had hoes, shovels, and crowbars, but they remained steadfastly loyal to the sea. I still remember that martyr Dau Van Tu from Nghi Yen - Nghi Loc, before his sacrifice, told me, "Comrade, I am ready to receive orders," and just a few minutes later, he was fired upon by a Chinese ship, his blood staining a large area of ​​the blue sea red…. Below the stage, the sister-in-law of martyr Dau Van Tu was also present, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress, tears welling up: "Before that, he wrote a letter to my parents: 'I am on duty on the island, I will be back soon. Parents, please take care of your health, little brother, please take care of us in my place, I will reward you handsomely when I return…' But we waited and waited, and he never came back…"

Among the exemplary figures of unwavering loyalty in peacetime are the images of women who are "capable in national affairs and skilled in household duties," allowing their husbands to focus on guarding distant islands. One such example is Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, wife of Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Thanh – from Thai Binh hamlet, Phuc Tho commune (Nghi Loc district). She single-handedly cares for her two young children and two plots of rice ready for harvest, while also serving as a nurse at the commune's health station. For over two months, she hasn't received any news from her husband on the distant island, causing her constant worry. But whenever her mother-in-law asks, "Have you heard from Thanh?", she always lies: "He's fine, Mom." The evening gathering became quiet as they listened to Ms. Tuyet's conversation with her husband: "How are you? I'm fine, Mom and Dad, and you and the children shouldn't worry"; "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, we're fine at home," "Oh, honey..." The words were interrupted, choked with emotion, the silences filled with longing and love… Good news came to Ms. Tuyet when the presenter announced: “Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Thanh has just been awarded a commendation by the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army for his courageous actions and successful handling of many complex situations in the territorial waters where China illegally placed the Haiyang 981 oil rig…”

Veterans from Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) interact with young people in Nghe An.

Present at the exchange, fisherman Nguyen Van Binh, a member of the Nghi Hai maritime militia in Cua Lo town, shared simply: “We condemn China’s inhumane actions against fishermen. The Hoang Sa and Truong Sa fishing grounds belong to Vietnam, and we will resolutely stay at sea. We will unite, and our boats will cooperate to protect each other. We pledge to be landmarks on the sea.”

In the audience, many young people had tears in their eyes, watching the screen, their hearts filled with pride and determination: "Today's young generation vows to follow the example of our heroes to protect every inch of our homeland..." - shared Truong Thi Minh Tam, a student at Vinh Medical University.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, said: “In recent days, the youth of our province have carried out many practical actions and deeds in support of our homeland's islands and seas. More than ever, the Youth Union at all levels has organized many programs and activities to awaken patriotism and the strong belief of the younger generation in our nation's tradition of defending the country. Through concrete actions and deeds, the youth of Nghe An will stand alongside the fisheries inspection and coast guard forces who are day and night protecting every inch of land in our distant islands.”

Receiving meaningful gifts from the youth of Nghe An at today's exchange, Major Nguyen Hong Que, Party Committee member of the Coast Guard Region 1, Political Officer of Squadron 102, affirmed: “The mainland can rest assured! With us, the resourceful Coast Guard officers who are stationed day and night in our territorial waters, no force will be able to shake the patriotism of our nation…”.

The exchange program is coming to an end, but millions of hearts have been, are, and will always be focused on the East Sea. The song, "Let's hold hands and look towards the future," rings out, urging and inspiring: When the Fatherland needs us, the youth are always ready...

Khoi Nguyen - Thanh Duy