Memorial services for 64 Vietnamese soldiers who fought to protect Gac Ma Island (Johnson South Reef), part of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, on March 14, 1988 were held in many localities across the country.

The mother of Tran Van Phuong, a soldier who died in the Gac Ma battle, offers incence in commemoration of the fallen soldiers at a ceremony in Quang Binh province

In the central city of Da Nang, war veterans who used to work on the Truong Sa Archipelago, officials, soldiers whose comrades were sacrificed in the battle to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and local people gathered at the Region II Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (Da Nang MRCC)’s quay on March 14 to burn incense and pay homage to the fallen soldiers.

“These days remind us of the soldiers, the comrades who sacrificed and devoted their youth to protect our nation’s sea and islands”, former Party secretary and Second in Command of Regiment 83 (now Brigade 83 of the Vietnam People’s Navy), Hoang Van Hoan, said.

A large wreath of fresh flowers bearing the words “Forever remember martyrs who sacrificed their life at Gac Ma Island – Truong Sa on March 14, 1988” and lanterns were also released on the blue sea to commemorate the soldiers.

In the central province of Phu Yen, nearly 400 war veterans who used to be stationed in Truong Sa met at a gathering to remember their fallen comrades.

Requiem for Vietnamese fallen soldiers held in France

A requiem for Vietnamese soldiers, who died during a battle to defend Gac Ma Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago in March 1988, was held at Khuong Viet Pagoda in France on March 13.

Buddhist monks and nuns at the pagoda together with overseas Vietnamese in Paris and vicinities paid tribute to the deceased and prayed for national and world peace.

Venerable Thich Tinh Quang recalled the March 14, 1988 event when 64 Vietnamese soldiers sacrificed their lives to safeguard the country’s sea and island sovereignty.

He told Vietnam News Agency’s reporters that he hopes Vietnamese people at home and abroad will be aware of their responsibility to defend the country’s land.

Similar requiems were also held in Laos, India and the Czech Republic to commemorate Vietnamese fallen naval soldiers.