In the March 2018 half-term periods, news about the 30-year commemoration of Gac Ma Reef event was spread on mass media. Gac Ma is not only an unforgettable memory but also a pride, indignation and determination that the present generations have to continue doing good things which their older generations did not accomplish in the past.
The Party Committee of Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) had a visit to Ninh Thuan Province and Khanh Hoa Province in order to commemorate historical events as a pride expression of Vietnam’s glorious history. Along the National Route 1A, we stopped at Gac Ma soldiers’ memorial site. In March 1988, 64 Vietnamese naval soldiers laying down their lives while fighting till last breath to protect the national sovereignty on Gac Ma Reef, Collins Reef, and Lansdowne Reef. Their efforts to protect for Gac Ma were recognized as a mark of heroism and bravery in the national history.
Our first impression was the majesty of Gac Ma soldiers’ memorial site. The Delegation offered incense to commemorate for the souls of fallen soldiers. Particularly, with all of great pride and deep gratitude, TDTU lecturers and students worked hard together to produce a model of Gac Ma Veterans Memorial Site so that future visitors are able to have a comprehensive overview of this historical monument. The model was then sent to the Memorial Site on June 30th 2017.
The Party Committee of TDTU held a ceremony of admitting new Communist Party members for the three elite candidates of the two Party Cells of students of Technical Division and Economic Division respectively. Standing in front of the Memorial Site of Gac Ma soldiers, the new Communist Party members took an oath which was full of enthusiasm, respect and power to promise that they would be having more training to accomplish the assigned tasks and deserve being an exemplary Communist Party member.
Going along the crooked mountain path to the sea view, all the Party members travelled to the landmark named Tau Khong So C235 (“No Number” naval trawler C235). People had to walk through the nearly 2000-metre road under the dazzling sunshine as the coach could not enter the relic. However, with a heartfelt reverence, we finally stepped on the site. Each individual patriotism and national pride were swelled.
We suddenly remembered the interesting poetry verses of To Huu:
There are some moments that make history – There is a death that becomes immoral
There are some words that are more than every song – There are people who were born from the truth
Big thanks go to the Party Committee and the University for bringing us back to the history, to the immortality, to the songs that all became the truth long time ago; reminding us of the responsibility for continuing our father's heroic tradition in preserving and building the Motherland; fulfilling the missions and commitments to serve the country that all TDTU members are determined to complete.
Clip: Return to the roots
