War veterans, relatives commemorate Gac Ma battle martyrs

On March 14, 1988, China sent missile defense ships and soldiers to attack the Johnson Reef, Collins Reef, and Lansdowne Reef of Vietnam’s Spratly archipelago.

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Sixty-four Vietnamese naval soldiers sacrificed their lives in an unequal battle to safeguard the country’s sovereignty at sea.

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A memorial site has been built on 25,000sq.m of land in Cam Hai Dong Commune of Khanh Hoa province to commemorate the martyrs of the deadly battle.

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On March 13 evening, hundreds of relatives and comrades of the martyrs from Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces gathered at Thien Cam sea of Ha TInh to pay tribute to the martyrs.

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They all burned and released lanterns into the sea – a Buddhist ritual to show respect for the dead and pray for peace. Among the participants were tens of war veterans many of whom were comrades of the martyrs.

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They were moved to commemorate their comrades who sacrificed their lives to defend national sovereignty.

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Every year relatives and comrades of the martyrs offer incense and release lanterns into the sea in commemoration of the dead.

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The event also helps to remind and educate younger generations about the predecessors’ sacrifice and dedication to protect the sacred sovereignty over sea and islands of the Fatherland.