At the requiem (Photo: VNA) Prague (VNA) – A requiem in commemoration of 64 soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend Vietnam’s Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef 30 years ago took place in the Czech Republic on March 14.
Speaking at the event, head of the organising board Nguyen Dinh Hoi, who is a war veteran, emotionally recalled history of the Gac Ma battle. He spoke highly of the soldiers’ fighting spirit and sacrifice to safeguard Vietnam’s sovereignty over seas and islands.
The requiem showed the Vietnamese community’s deep gratitude to the fallen combatants, Hoi noted.
Buddhist followers in the Czech Republic carried out the requiem with prayer and candle lighting rituals in tribute to the soldiers.
On the sidelines of the event, a music show was organised along with a fund-raising programme to collect money for the construction of houses for the soldiers’ families.
Participants also took part in a film screening and map exhibition on Vietnam’s sovereignty over its seas and islands. They signed their names on a letter of petition sent to the European Parliament and a letter of protest to the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, requesting China to end activities that escalate tension in the East Sea, to abide by international law, and to settle disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures.-VNA
VNA
