Truong Sa sedimentation…

The country will never forget you.

The Memorial is 670 square ^meters wide, a stone monument nearly 13 meters high with a five-pointed star at the top symbolizing the Fatherland of Vietnam, and the words "The Fatherland honors" engraved below.

The members of the delegation respectfully offered incense and bowed to express their gratitude to the heroes and martyrs who fell for the sea and islands of the homeland. Lieutenant Colonel Mai Quang Tien, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 146 of Naval Region 4, prayed: “In the midst of the sacred sea and sky of Truong Sa of the Fatherland, before the souls of the excellent naval officers and soldiers who fell for the sea and islands of the homeland, with sincere gratitude and infinite sorrow, from the bottom of our hearts, we vow to forever continue to be worthy of the faith and ideals of the previous generation; determined to devote all our efforts to the cause of building and firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, worthy of the trust and love of the Party, the State and the People, with the merits and noble sacrifices of the heroes and martyrs”.

The delegation offered incense at the Memorial of Truong Sa Heroes and Martyrs.

In the sacred atmosphere, amidst the lingering incense smoke on the sacred land of the Fatherland, the officials and delegates participating in the memorial service were all moved and could not hold back their tears. Journalist Linh Lan (Thai Nguyen Newspaper, Radio and Television) was moved: “The memorial service is not only an opportunity for us to remember and show gratitude to the heroes and martyrs, but also to educate and foster in generations of Vietnamese people national pride, thereby taking practical actions to contribute to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the homeland. The Fatherland will never forget you, those who forever form an immortal circle to protect the sea and islands of the Fatherland”.

Square row of banyan trees in front of the memorial

In front of the Truong Sa Heroes and Martyrs Memorial is a row of banyan trees "linking arms" running to the edge of the island. After the incense offering ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tien Diep, working in Truong Sa special zone, took the delegation along the row of banyan trees, proudly introducing: The banyan trees stand tall, blocking the wind, preventing storms, and lasting through the years like the proud posture of officers and soldiers on the islands in the middle of the vast ocean. The banyan tree is one of the most symbolic trees for the strong vitality and complete love for the homeland's sea of Vietnamese naval soldiers for generations. What is special is that the banyan tree flowers only bloom at night and are purple, the color of loyalty and complete love of the island soldiers for the sacred sea of the Fatherland.

Lieutenant Colonel Mai Quang Tien, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 146, Naval Region 4, offered incense to the souls of heroes and martyrs.

That night, we went out to see the square-flowered banyan flowers blooming at night. The white petals sprayed on the purple-pink needle, revealing a bit of pale white. Through the flashlight, we saw the petals hidden inside half of the fiery red color, then piercing the rays up to the yellow sunlight. The branches, some clusters of flowers facing up to the sky, some flowers facing horizontally, some flowers facing down. Around this area, there were round banyan trees. The leaves of the round banyan tree were as big as a plate, while the leaves of the square banyan tree were small and long, but the green of the square banyan tree was stronger. The green color beautifies the beloved Truong Sa. Journalist Nguyen Thi Dung ( Dien Bien Newspaper and Radio and Television) commented: “The square banyan flowers are simple but still splendid, at night they are not immersed in darkness, still sparkling with all kinds of glitter, iridescent metallic colors. Looking at the row of square banyan trees in front of the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs, we saw a truly peaceful Truong Sa, a cool green life, a resilient, indomitable Truong Sa, towering between the sea and sky”.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quang Phu (working in Truong Sa special zone) said that the banyan tree is closely associated with the lives of officers, soldiers and people on the island. Banyan leaves are used to wrap banh chung (square sticky rice cakes) to offer to the national altar on holidays and Tet. Each bunch of banyan fruit symbolizes generations of soldiers on the island who have overcome storms and difficulties to affirm and protect the sky and sea. Despite harsh weather and storms, the banyan tree is always green. The flowers, leaves and fruits of the banyan tree are always in the minds of generations of navy soldiers.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quang Phu looked up at the Memorial and was moved: Many navy soldiers sacrificed their lives at a very young age, as the poem says: "At the age of twenty, I had never made a date/ In my dreams at night, I still call out to my mother". They devoted their youth to preserving the independence and sovereignty of the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Looking at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs standing tall amidst the embrace of the square banyan trees, amidst the murmur of the waves…, the night in Truong Sa seems even more sacred and calm…

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202507/lang-dong-truong-sa-ce60cae/