Society

Leaders extend condolences over death of Greek Hero of People's Armed Forces

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and former President Nguyen Minh Triet on June 26 sent profound condolences over the Hero of People's Armed Forces Kostas Sarantidis passing.
Leaders extend condolences over death of Greek Hero of People's Armed Forces ảnh 1During his time participating in the Viet Minh Front, Kostas Saratidis (R), whose Vietnamese name is Nguyen Van Lap, always successfully completed his tasks.
Hanoi (VNA) - State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and formerPresident Nguyen Minh Triet on June 26 expressed profound condolences over the death of Greek Heroof the Vietnam People's Armed Forces Kostas Sarantidis.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh alsodid the same, while Minister of NationalDefense Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Minister of Foreign AffairsBui Thanh Son, and President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship OrganizationsNguyen Phuong Nga sent messages of condolences to the family of the 94-year-old deceased.

Sarantidis, was born in 1927 in Athens. The Greek was 16 when he was sent to the German army in 1943. After World War II, he could not return home for having no identity documents and later joined the French Foreign Legion and was mobilised to Indochina.  

Since Sarantidis set foot on Sai Gon (now Ho Chi Minh City) in 1946, hedecided to follow the Viet Minh (the short name for Vietnam Doc Lap Dong Minhor Vietnam Independence League) as he had witnessed invaders’ crime to innocentVietnamese and realised the aspirations of the Vietnamese revolution.

The soldier, with the Vietnamese name of Nguyen Van Lap, hadmade various accomplishments during his service and was presented with awardsfrom the Party and State.

He was honoured with the Friendship Order and received Vietnamesecitizenship in January 2011.

In 2013, Lap was awarded with the title of Hero of thePeople's Armed Forces of Vietnam./.
VNA
# Greek Hero of People's Armed Forces #Kostas Sarantidis. #Vietnam #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency Ha Noi
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