Since today (April 29, 2012) marks the 37th anniversary of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago Liberation Day, Tuoi Tre would like to feature recent pictures of the soldiers who guard the islands' sovereignty day and night out of their strong determination and deep love for it.
Thirty-seven years ago, the naval forces of Vietnam launched attacks to liberate the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago, including Song Tu Tay, Son Ca, Nam Yet and Sinh Ton, contributing importantly to the Great Spring Victory in the South in 1975, bringing in the national reunification.
Soldiers loudly shout their vows to protect national sovereignty over sea and islands at a daily ceremony to salute the national flag held on the Song Tu Tay Island.
A flag salute ceremony held on the Song Tu Tay island
Smiles are indispensable parts of music performances on the Truong Sa archipelago.
Greenery plant from mainland is thought to be a valuable gift for the island soldiers. In this photo, two soldiers plant a tree on the Sinh Ton island.
This is a touching scene on the Co Lin shoal: when a motorboat’s propeller got stuck in the coral reef, a solider immediately dived into the sea to pull it out of.
A soldier protects Truong Sa Dong island that endures most adverse weather conditions on the Truong Sa archipelago.
Two lieutenants Tran Xuan Nam (L) and Vu Xuan Sac install a window donated by “Let build Truong Sa” fund-raising program initiated by Tuoi Tre. They said they have fallen in love with the Truong Sa archipelago even though they have been here for just four months.
Soldiers have to be on duty on 24/7 to protect the islands from invaders.
Having not returned to the mainland in 10 years, lieutenant Luong Ngoc Long hailing from Thanh Hoa central province has made friend with a spotted dove that he is raising on Ba Long offshore platform that belongs to Truong Sa’s territorial waters.
Any visitor to the Truong Sa archipelago touched by the warm welcome and bright smiles on the tanned faces of the soldiers.
A wreath is dumped into sea to commemorate 64 naval soldiers who died in an attack launched by foreign armed forces in the territorial waters of three islands Gac Ma, Len Dao and Co Lin on March 14, 1988 when they were trying to defend the country’s sovereignty.