Truong Sa: Where Spring Never Comes Late

Spring of the Year of the Tiger 2022 has blossomed in the hearts of soldiers in the most distant beloved archipelago of the Fatherland.

A farewell without relatives

Different from the hustle and bustle of the ships bringing Spring to Truong Sa, in Spring 2021, seeing off ship 744 bringing Spring gifts to the soldiers and people of the 4 islands of Truong Sa Lon, Sinh Ton, Toc Tan, and Nui Le on the afternoon of December 23, 2021 at the naval port of Naval Division 129, there were only the leaders of the Naval Division and key officers. A special farewell in the springCovid-19 pandemicNo wives or children to see them off; no civilian reporters to write articles, only soldiers who had strictly followed the 21-day quarantine, or worked at their units before going to the island.

Transferring Spring gifts to the ship to Truong Sa island.Photo: Mai Thang

Having been attached to ship 744 for many years and commanding dozens of ships through stormy journeys to Truong Sa Island and DK1 Platform, this is the first farewell to the island without relatives. Major Le Minh Sum - Captain of ship 744 said that due to the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, and for the absolute safety of the ship's crew, the wife and children seeing off the sailors before going to Truong Sa had to be postponed. However, the procedures for sending off the ship still took place normally, except that there were no relatives of the sailors, only unit leaders and commanders, minimizing the number of people gathered.

“This is the earliest special train that brings Spring toTruong Sa army and people. This trip will encounter many storms. However, no matter how difficult the storms are, we are determined to deliver Spring gifts to the officers, soldiers and fishermen working and living on the four islands of Truong Sa Lon, Sinh Ton and the two fishing villages of Nui Le and Toc Tan" - Major Le Minh Sum shared.

Also according to Major Sum, after storm No. 9 (Rai), the storm's circulation is causing the sea areas of the Truong Sa archipelago to have large waves of level 6, strong end-of-season winds, rough seas, the delivery of goods and Tet gifts to the islands is carried out according to the transmission plan. During this Tet trip, the leaders of Squadron 129 will combine to inspect all aspects of work, operational management capacity in 2021 and supplement equipment, supplies, and necessities for the ports and fishing villages to continue to carry out the task of supporting fishermen in the coming time.

Sending off ship 744 bringing Spring gifts to Truong Sa during the Covid-19 pandemic.Photo: Mai Thang

Unlike the previous island trips, Senior Lieutenant Bui Tan Vuong (Chief Engineer of Ship 744) could only stand on the wharf and wave goodbye to his relatives who were saying goodbye from afar. Although he understood that the Covid-19 pandemic had kept him and his family "separated" for many days without seeing each other. He felt a pang of longing for his family and relatives at night, but he had to hold it in. It was all for the safety of the ship before going to the island.

Over the past few days, Senior Lieutenant Vuong has strived to complete his work excellently, so that ship 744 can have a particularly safe voyage. “In order for the ship to have full vitality and safety for the voyage to Truong Sa, in addition to carefully preparing other stages and steps of life; maintaining, preserving, and checking the ship's engine operation is the number 1 especially important task. If the engine works well, the ship can run; if the engine is strong, the ship can overcome big waves and strong winds. This is a trip to bring the warmth of Spring from the mainland to Truong Sa, so everything must be carefully prepared,” Senior Lieutenant Vuong confided.

Bringing Spring to the Island. Photo: Mai Thang

Major Hoang Dinh Nga - Political Commissar of Squadron 922, Squadron 129, Saigon Port said: “Visiting and wishing a Happy New Year to the soldiers and people on Truong Sa archipelago is an annual activity of the Squadron. This is a sentiment, a concern and encouragement, creating cohesion among the forces on duty at the front line of the Fatherland. At the same time, this is also a time to supplement supplies and technical equipment of the Squadron, helping the ports and fishing villages meet the urgent needs of fishermen when exploiting seafood at sea in the most effective way”.

Silent

While ship 744 was overcoming thousands of nautical miles of strong winds and waves, spring was also beginning to dawn in the hearts of the island soldiers.

Sunken island. Photo: Mai Thang

From Tien Nu Island, Information Officer - Lieutenant Mai Van Thinh (from Ha Trung, Thanh Hoa) shared over the phone: “Spring is coming to the hearts of soldiers on Tien Nu Island. All of us are waiting for the ship to bring Tet gifts. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult to contact and receive gifts, it does not diminish the spring atmosphere. Celebrating Tet on the island is the same as on the mainland, except that we do not have wives, children, or parents, but with our comrades always by our side, the longing for the mainland is also lessened.”

Lieutenant Thinh also shared that he had worked on Tien Nu Island for nearly a year. In mid-2021, his wife gave birth alone in her hometown. He only knew his child through Zalo messages sent by his wife. “All soldiers on Truong Sa Island are like me. Being quiet and dedicated is the bravery of Truong Sa soldiers. When Tet comes, everyone wants to be with their family. But without those who guard the island, who will keep the sovereignty of the Fatherland? The most sacred mission of island soldiers is to protect the peace of Truong Sa. Only when Truong Sa is firmly peaceful can the mainland have a happy Tet and a peaceful and happy Spring,” Lieutenant Thinh said.

New Year flag salute on Truong Sa island. Photo: The Anh

Sticking with Co Lin through several stormy seasons. "Sharing the joys and sorrows" with his teammates through 365 days of sun and rain, Co Lin island leader - Captain Nguyen Van Cuong has become "hardened" to the harsh weather. Yet every time Tet comes, when Spring comes, he is as excited as a private soldier: "While on the mainland, families gather together to celebrate Tet, we patrol and guard the islands. Although it is no less difficult and arduous, we are also very proud and sacred. We only complete our mission when Truong Sa archipelago is firmly protected. This is also the basis for people across the country to celebrate Tet peacefully" - Captain Nguyen Van Cuong shared.

Captain Cuong added that he is from Thanh Chuong, Nghe An, but his wife and children currently live in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province. He is really excited and looking forward to returning to the mainland to see his newborn daughter. Before taking up his assignment on Co Lin Island, he and his wife had a 2-year-old son. About 3 weeks after arriving on the island to take up his assignment, he received good news from his wife. When he learned that his wife had given birth to a baby girl, he could not contain his emotions. “Due to information conditions, I have not yet met my child. I have worked in Truong Sa for many years, been to the island and returned to shore many times, but this trip back to the mainland has a very special meaning for me,” Cuong confided.

Spring comes early in Truong Sa

In the last days of 2021, all 21 islands and 33 military bases in the Truong Sa archipelago seem to be wearing new clothes. All the islands and submerged islands are "speeding up" to achieve "3 dual goals". While firmly protecting the islands, fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, and carefully preparing for officers and soldiers to celebrate Tet and enjoy Spring.

Soldiers and civilians of Sinh Ton Island visit Sinh Ton Pagoda on Tet holiday. Photo: Trong Thiet

From Da Thi Island, Lieutenant Nguyen Van Canh, a boat driver, shared that in recent days, he and his team have been actively training for combat readiness, completing the year-end target. Houses have been painted white. Youth projects and trees have been renovated and beautified. The island is also "editing" the wall newspaper "Spring on the sea and islands" to "release" on New Year's Eve.

Meanwhile, teacher Bang Huu Tinh on Truong Sa Lon Island said that he, his students and their parents are practicing performing arts to perform with Truong Sa soldiers on the 29th night of Tet. Meanwhile, soldiers on Son Ca Island are taking advantage of the weekend to repaint tree stumps and renew the connecting roads between units to prepare for Tet.

Spring has come to Truong Sa - a special Spring without Covid-19 like on the mainland. Although thousands of kilometers away from the mainland, Truong Sa is the place with the earliest spring atmosphere in the country. In that place at the forefront of the wind and waves, in any conditions, spring never comes late.

While on the mainland every family is celebrating the New Year, Truong Sa soldiers stand guard in the wind and sea mist, tensely monitoring targets and "inviting" uninvited ships out of the territorial waters. They are facing hardships. The things they are silently sacrificing are all for beloved Truong Sa, for the Fatherland to welcome a peaceful Spring so that the Spring colors will shine forever.