The memorial site dedicated to 64 naval soldiers killed in the battle to defend Gac Ma island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago was inaugurated at a ceremony in Cam Hai Dong commune, Cam Lam district of the central province of Khanh Hoa on July 15. Hanoi (VNA) – Nearly 500 war veterans who struggled to defend Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago met in Hoa Vinh town, Dong Hoa district, the central province of Phu Yen, to recall the Gac Ma battle 30 years ago.
The meeting, held by Phu Yen’s Truong Sa soldier liaison committee, gathered war veterans hailing from different cities and provinces across the country.
The same day, the war veterans and families of martyrs Phan Tan Du and Truong Van Thinh who had fallen down during the battle commemorated the death anniversary of the two martyrs.
On this occasion, the Truong Sa soldier liaison committee mobilised donors to present 16 gift packs, each worth 440,000 VND (19.3 USD), to families of Truong Sa soldiers in difficult circumstances.
The Phu Yen Confederation of Labour also handed over ten gift packs, each worth 300,000 VND (13.17 USD), to families of Truong Sa war invalids.
The same day, the Thai Binh province Association of War Veterans held a meeting with relatives of martyrs and war veterans who fought during the battle.
Among the 64 naval soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend Vietnam’s Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef 30 years ago, nine come from the northern province of Thai Binh. -VNA
