37 years of Gac Ma incident: The spirit of determination to protect the sovereignty of the Fatherland

In March, Gac Ma - a name that always reminds generations of Vietnamese people today of an unforgettable tragic memory.

On this day 37 years ago, March 14, 1988, 64 soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy laid down their lives forever in the deep sea to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland in the East Sea.

Their blood mixed with the ocean, creating an immortal monument to revolutionary heroism and love for the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Your blood mixes with the sea

“Do not retreat. We must let our blood color the national flag and the glorious tradition of the Army” - the words of the heroic martyr, Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong, Deputy Commander of Gac Ma Island at that time, not only showed his heroic spirit, but also the stance of a true master of the sea and islands in any circumstance.

National sovereignty is supreme and inviolable. Generations of Vietnamese people have devoted countless efforts and blood to establish sovereignty and preserve the sacred territory, seas and islands of the Fatherland.

Hundreds of years ago, the best sons of Vietnam overcame countless difficulties and hardships, sacrificing themselves in the vast ocean for the country's sovereignty. The folk songs that are still passed down to this day, such as: "Will Hoang Sa return - The king's order sent them to go with all their heart" are the most concrete evidence of their bravery and the miracles they accomplished.

The brave spirit of the previous generation was continued by the next generation. On March 14, 1988, 64 soldiers defending Gac Ma Island, in an unequal battle, fell forever under the rain of bullets.

At the forefront of the waves and winds, with limited weapons and no land or fortifications to protect them, but with love for the country and determination to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland, officers and soldiers of the forces on the three ships HQ 604, HQ 605 and HQ 505 and the forces protecting Gac Ma, Co Lin and Len Dao islands have shown their steadfast will, bravery and determination to the end to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

After threatening but failing to shake the morale of our officers and soldiers, the enemy warships used guns and cannons to fire directly at our ship, causing the HQ 604 to catch fire and sink very quickly.

At Gac Ma Island, officers and soldiers held hands tightly to form a circle to protect the national flag, determined to defend the island with their bodies.

The event of 64 martyrs holding hands to form an "Immortal Circle" to protect Gac Ma Island on March 14, 1988, despite enemy artillery fire, has become an indomitable symbol of patriotism.

The 64 soldiers who protected Gac Ma Island put aside their dreams and ambitions and devoted their youth to protecting the outposts. Their blood mixed with the blue sea, their bones soaked into the island, their names will be remembered forever by today's and future generations.

Still missing you, but still so proud

The tragic day of March 14, 1988, took away the country's loyal sons. 37 years have passed, but the pain and longing seem to have not subsided for the fathers, mothers, children, and comrades of the Gac Ma martyrs. But when remembering those who heroically died in the middle of the ocean, pride and honor are always present in each of their relatives and comrades.

Like Mr. Hoang Nho in Hai Ninh commune, Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh province, the father of martyr Hoang Van Tuy, when he was alive, even in the most difficult times, on the anniversary of martyr Hoang Van Tuy's death, Mr. Nho always prepared a meal and brought it to the beach to pay respect to the 64 martyrs of Gac Ma.

When he passed away at the age of 95 (the 9th day of the Lunar New Year of the Cat Year 2023), his descendants continued to commemorate the 64 martyrs of Gac Ma. According to Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan (daughter of Mr. Nho), the sacrifice of his younger brother Hoang Van Tuy and the 63 martyrs was a great loss. But this sacrifice also became a source of pride in the revolutionary tradition, and the family always taught their children and grandchildren not to forget the noble sacrifices of previous generations.

Following in her father's footsteps, Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, daughter of martyr Tran Van Phuong, became a navy soldier. Ms. Thuy confided: "My father's image is deeply engraved in my mind. That's why, since I was little, I dreamed of one day wearing a soldier's uniform, continuing my father's work and continuing the good, precious traditions of my family. And now I can be proud, I am a soldier, the daughter of a heroic navy soldier."

According to Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, her father died when she was still in her mother's womb. The female captain only knew about her father through her grandmother, mother, and her father's portrait and letters.

"Every time I get to visit the place where my father and his comrades fell, I am both moved and proud of my parents. Standing before the vast ocean and sky, looking towards Gac Ma Island, I feel like my father is standing there, looking towards me. Every time, I cry a lot, like a child who has not seen his parents and family for a long time."

And “no one is forgotten and no one is allowed to forget”, that is what comrades, teammates and veterans of Gac Ma always remind each other. When we went to Gac Ma island together and faced the enemy’s bullets, we formed a circle to protect the island. When we returned to peacetime, we also formed other circles to support and accompany each other on the journey of comradeship, Gac Ma veteran Le Huu Thao said.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, head of the Truong Sa Military Liaison Committee, at the 35th anniversary of his comrades' death, still choked up: "The remains of you always cause endless longing for those who remain and also remind us of a sacred sea where your bodies are guarding, unable to return to their families. That sacrifice also reminds today's generation, those who are still alive, not to forget for a moment, not to lose vigilance for the integrity of the sacred territory."

The documentary "Truong Sa, April 1988" (directed by Le Manh Thich) was produced right after the March 14 event. The graves of the soldiers who died in the battle to protect Gac Ma, Co Lin and Len Dao were placed on Sinh Ton island.

Now, every ship going to Truong Sa performs a ceremony to commemorate the martyrs who fell in the battle on March 14, 1988. That is an affirmation that no one will forget the tragic Gac Ma, no one will forget the soldiers who steadfastly protected a sacred part of the Fatherland's territory in the East Sea.

From white hair to green hair; from those who fought and died in two resistance wars to young people who have never worn a soldier’s uniform; from those who survived the sea and islands to those who came here for the first time, all could not hold back their tears when burning incense to remember the martyrs. That memorial ceremony contained both sadness and pride.

In 1989, the President conferred and posthumously conferred the title of Hero of the Armed Forces on the officers and soldiers of ship HQ-505, along with Lieutenant Colonel Tran Duc Thong, Captain Vu Phi Tru, Major Vu Huy Le, Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong and Corporal Nguyen Van Lanh.

The Gac Ma incident on March 14, 1988 has gone down in national history as an indelible mark in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. The sacrifice of the officers and soldiers reminds future generations to forever remember the spirit of sacrifice to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.