Military officials commemorate fallen soldiers in Gac Ma battle

14/03/2023 15:49

Delegations of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and the Naval Region 4 High Command on March 14 commemorated the 64 naval officers and soldiers who laid down their lives defending Gac Ma Reef in the country’s sea and island area of Truong Sa 35 years ago.

Military officials commemorate fallen soldiers in Gac Ma battle ảnh 1

The incense offering ceremony at the Gac Ma soldier memorial site on March 14 (Photo: VNA)

Khanh Hoa (VNA) – Delegations of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and the Naval Region 4 High Command on March 14 commemorated the 64 naval officers and soldiers who laid down their lives defending Gac Ma Reef in the country’s sea and island area of Truong Sa 35 years ago.

The incense offering ceremony took place at the Gac Ma soldier memorial site in Cam Hai Dong commune of Cam Lam district, the central province of Khanh Hoa.

The delegations were led by Lt. Gen. Nguyen Trong Binh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army; and Rear Admiral Ngo Van Thuan, Political Commissar of Naval Region 4.

Military officials commemorate fallen soldiers in Gac Ma battle ảnh 2

The commemoration ceremony at the Gac Ma soldier memorial site on March 14 (Photo: VNA)

On this occasion, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Party Committee and High Command of the Vietnam People’s Navy also offered incense in commemoration of the fallen soldiers.

On March 14, 1988, 64 naval soldiers of Vietnam fell down while standing in a circle defending the national flag planted on Gac Ma Reef and affirming the country’s sea and island sovereignty.

Their brave deaths were honoured with a monument named “Nhung nguoi nam lai phia chan troi” (Those who laid down their lives on the horizon) at the Gac Ma soldier memorial site./.

VNA