Chapter 27 — Reef Keeper

The idea of an official memorial ceremony for Mr. Pho Van Dam, combined with naming the most beautiful coral area of Da Bac reef, originated from the fishing community itself, not from Khue. Vu was the first person to raise this idea at a meeting of the marine protected area management council.

"I think I should do something to officially commemorate Mr. Dam." Vu said, his voice was solemn, different from his usual straightforwardness. "He was the first person to stand up to protect this reef and sacrificed his life for it. We owe him a lot, not just Ms. Khue."

The proposal received absolute consensus from the entire council and community. After many discussions, everyone decided to name the mother coral area on the east side of Da Bac reef - the place that still retains the strongest life through many events, and is also the place that provides valuable genetic resources for the entire recovery work - as "Pho Van Dam Coral Garden", as an eternal tribute to the person who laid the first foundation, albeit silently, for the work of protecting this coral reef.

Uncle Tam, as a representative of the management agency, personally drafted a proposal to the district level to officially recognize this name on the marine protected area management map, turning it from a name given by the community into a place with legal value, permanently recorded in all documents and scientific documents related to Da Bac Reef in the future. "This is not only a love story, but also a way for Mr. Dam's story to be preserved forever, even for future generations who have never known him." He explained when presented to the council, and the proposal was passed without anyone objecting.

The preparation for the ceremony involves the whole community joining hands, each person doing their own thing in the spirit of solidarity that has been built over the past many months. The group of young people led by Vu was in charge of cleaning and decorating the Mom Vong area, the women in the neighborhood prepared simple offerings according to maritime customs, and Thao and the children in the volunteer team personally made wreaths from sea morning glory and wildflowers growing around the island to offer during the ceremony.

When hearing about this decision, Khue could not hold back her tears. She has experienced so many emotions during her recent journey, but this moment has a particularly profound meaning — not justice served through the courts, but sincere recognition, coming from the heart of the community, for the father she loves.

"I don't know how to thank everyone." Khue spoke during the meeting, her voice choked. "This is the most meaningful gift I can imagine for my dad."

The memorial ceremony was held on a beautiful morning, right at Mom Vong - where Mr. Dam once stood waiting to go to sea, where he once took Khue to teach her about the sea. Almost the entire fishing village community was present, along with representatives of the district government, research institutes, and even the faces who had accompanied Khue through the arduous journey over the past several months — Nguyen, Uncle Suu, Mrs. Bay Xuyen, Thao, Vu, Uncle Tam, and even Phan Bao Duy, who specially arranged time from the mainland to attend.

On a high cliff, a small stone stele was erected, engraved with a simple but meaningful inscription: "In memory of Mr. Pho Van Dam - the man who devoted his life to the sea, the first coral reef keeper of Hon Vong Ngu." Below is a small relief engraved with the image of stretching coral branches, symbolizing the eternal life that he tried to protect.

Uncle Suu was the first to speak, his voice trembling with emotion. "Mr. Dam is the best friend I've ever had. I was wrong to stay silent for twelve years, but I believe, today, standing here, I can finally tell you, publicly, that you were right. You were right to believe that the ocean deserves to be protected, and now, this whole community has joined you in doing so."

Next, Ms. Bay Xuyen shared memories of Mr. Dam in his youth, about the friendship between her and Khue's mother, and about the years he took care of the coral reef like he took care of his own child. Her voice was trembling but warm, causing many people in the crowd to shed tears.

"Back then, everyone thought he was crazy, going to the beach and worrying about keeping coral and baby fish, while other people only worried about catching a lot of fish to sell." Mrs. Bay Xuyen said, her voice mixed with laughter and tears. "He told me, the sea is like a warehouse. If you take it out, you have to know how to save it, so that it can continue to grow for your children and grandchildren. At that time, I didn't fully understand. Looking back now, I see how much ahead of his time he was."

Vu also stepped up, representing the young fishermen, saying a few short but sincere words. "I have never met Mr. Dam, but through Ms. Khue's story, through what he left behind, I learned that loving the sea is not just an empty word. We, the next generation, promise to continue to preserve this reef, the way he did."

Finally, it was Khue's turn. She stood in front of the stone stele, holding her father's old diary, looking out at the sea sparkling in the morning sunlight.

"I want to read to everyone a passage from my father's diary." She said, her voice shaking but steady. She turned to an old page and read each word slowly: "'The sea is like a difficult friend. If you love it, take care of it, it will let you live. If you are greedy and destroy it, one day it will take back everything you gave it.' These are the words my father once told me when I was young, and I think this is also the most valuable lesson we have all learned together during the past journey."

She paused for a moment, trying to suppress her rising emotions, then continued. "My father died trying to protect what he believed in, but he was not lost in vain. Today, standing here among everyone, I know that his legacy is not just the diary pages I kept for twelve years, but everything we have rebuilt together — a united community, a resurgent coral reef, a future I believe he will be proud of."

Khue placed a small wreath, made from wildflowers growing on the island, on the foot of the stone stele, then stepped back, standing next to Nguyen, letting him put his arm around her shoulder gently and comfortingly.

After the solemn ceremony, the whole community got on the boat together and went to the "Pho Van Dam Coral Garden" area to perform the ritual of releasing new coral branches, symbolizing the continuation of life. Khue dived down with Nguyen, Thao, and some young people in the neighborhood, personally attaching the last coral branches to the newest nursery frame, placed right in the center of the area named after his father.

Under the clear blue water, sunlight penetrates the sea surface, creating shimmering streaks of light that dance around the intertwined branches of new and old coral, creating a vivid picture of revival. Khue swam slowly around the area, clearly feeling a sacred connection with her father, as if he were here, right now, watching her every move with all the pride of a father.

When he emerged from the water, Khue saw the whole community standing on boats surrounding him, waving to welcome them, everyone's eyes filled with joy and emotion. This is the moment that she will forever hold in her heart — the moment when the pain of the past and the hope of the future blend together, creating a complete circle of healing.

Nguyen swam closer, took out his breathing tube, and smiled at her in the sparkling water. "Your father must be very proud." He spoke, his voice gentle but filled with emotion. "Not only because she found the truth, but because she turned that pain into something beautiful, benefiting so many people."

They both looked up, where the community's boats were forming a large circle on the water, each person on the boat threw a small flower petal into the sea according to the custom of commemorating the deceased seafarer, creating a carpet of white flowers floating along the water, as a gentle farewell and also a welcome, ending a long twelve-year journey searching for the truth.

"You're home, Dad." Khue whispered, looking down at the clear blue water where new coral branches were swaying gently with the current. "And you too, you have also found your own way home."