Sacred flag-raising ceremony in Truong Sa

(Baonghean) -“The Vietnamese army marches, united in saving the nation, its footsteps echo on the long, bumpy road, the flag printed with the blood of victory carries the soul of the nation…”. In our lives, we have all saluted the flag many times, sung the National Anthem… it is the same National Anthem, the same flag color, the same flag, but when singing it in Truong Sa, strange emotions keep surging…

Flag-raising ceremony in Truong Sa.

Salute the flag is a sacred moment to express gratitude and patriotism of each person to the Fatherland. Therefore, salute the flag and sing the National Anthem has a sacred meaning, salute the flag and sing the National Anthem is the pride of every Vietnamese citizen. The collective singing becomes a resounding chorus, reminding us of the heroic army advancing, not afraid to sacrifice blood for the country. Salute the flag is also to remember and engrave the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed for the Fatherland. Is it true that the red flag with yellow star has been soaked in the blood of previous generations, thanks to which we have a peaceful and happy life today?

One morning in late April 2014 on Sinh Ton Island, a floating island in the Truong Sa archipelago, working group No. 5 visited the island and participated in a special event, which was the flag salute with the soldiers and people on the island next to the sovereignty marker... This is also a ritual for working groups from the mainland visiting the island. The image of a solemn Navy soldier holding a gun firmly next to the sovereignty marker. The bright sunlight stands out against the blue sky, blue sea, the red flag with yellow star fluttering in the wind, evoking in each person's heart a feeling of excitement and sacredness... Normally, the islands in Truong Sa, on the first Monday of the week or on anniversaries, important events such as visitors, all hold a flag salute ceremony. Floating islands, in the Truong Sa archipelago such as Son Ca, Sinh Ton, Truong Sa Lon... The flag salute ceremony under the sovereignty marker on the floating islands is the first content in the island visit program. The flag salute ceremony has 3 parts: saluting the flag, singing the national anthem, reciting the oath and marching.

We, Vietnamese citizens, have all saluted the flag and sung the national anthem many times, but being able to attend the flag salute and sing the national anthem in Truong Sa, in the remote land of the Fatherland's border is truly sacred. Looking at the national flag fluttering proudly in the wind, in the sunshine of the Truong Sa sky and sea, we can feel the greatness of the country and the sacrifices of our ancestors, generations of previous generations... To have this country, our people have shed so much sweat, tears and blood. During the flag salute ceremony on Son Ca island, a woman in the working delegation working at the Central Theoretical Council could not sing the whole sentence, tears flowed down and her shoulders trembled...

After the flag salute and the singing of the national anthem, the soldiers recited the 10 honorary oaths. Amidst the murmuring waves, the strong wind and the immense sunshine of Truong Sa, the soldiers recited the 10 honorary oaths loudly and strongly. Each time an oath was recited, the two words “I swear” resounded like surging waves.

The parade of the units on the island with the background music and song Marching Under the Military Flag: “…The dawn has broken - The green mountains are far away - The vast and peaceful Fatherland - The flag is bright - Flying high… Maintaining peace - Building the future - New horizons - Shining brightly our army goes…”. We are so proud of the heroic and majestic spirit that is usually only seen in parades on major national holidays from the island soldiers.

On the islands of Truong Sa archipelago, the national flag salute is performed regularly at each island level, once a month on the first Monday of the month. Participants include the military, civilians and forces stationed on the island. After the flag salute on the island, the island also presents the national flag to the delegations and working groups to bring back to the mainland to place in the most solemn place. These are flags hung by officers and soldiers on the island, faded by wind, rain and sun, but for those from the mainland, they are sacred souvenirs of Truong Sa for the mainland. Because this number is not many, the day on Son Ca island, the working group brought from the mainland a new national flag, then asked for the signatures of the soldiers on the island to bring back as a souvenir.

Perhaps, every Vietnamese person wishes to visit Truong Sa once, to attend the flag-raising ceremony once in the sacred territory of the Fatherland. When I was a student, there was a flag-raising ceremony every Monday morning and later I also attended many other flag-raising ceremonies but the deep, sacred emotions were not as present as in Truong Sa. The red flag with yellow star fluttered in the sun and wind of Truong Sa, under my feet was the sacred land of the Fatherland, it seemed like the national flag was giving strength to the soldiers and people on the island. And, now I understand why, before sacrificing their lives to protect the island, 64 officers and soldiers of Gac Ma island wrapped the national flag around their bodies and calmly blocked the enemy's bullets to protect the island... The sacred and proud flag of the Vietnamese Fatherland.

Amidst the howling wind, the salty taste on their lips, the determined eyes of the young soldiers beside the sovereignty marker, high above the red flag with yellow star fluttering proudly affirms the eternal thousand-year sovereignty of the Vietnamese Fatherland.

Phan Nguyen Hao