Offering incense and releasing flower lanterns to commemorate martyrs at Gac Ma Island

Representatives of local authorities burn incense to commemorate martyrs who died on Gac Ma Island on March 14, 1988 at a memorial ceremony in Da Nang city. Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNA

On the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the day 64 Vietnamese People's Navy soldiers on Gac Ma Island (part of Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago) sacrificed their lives, becoming an immortal circle, protecting the Fatherland (March 14, 1988 - March 14, 2022), on March 13, at Nai Nam communal house, Hoa Cuong Bac ward, Hai Chau district (Da Nang), the Truong Sa soldiers' traditional Liaison Committee in Da Nang held an incense offering and flower lantern releasing ceremony to commemorate and pay tribute to the martyrs.

Speaking at the memorial, Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, Head of the Truong Sa Soldiers' Traditional Liaison Committee (1984-1988) said that the ceremony was to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the day 64 Vietnamese People's Navy soldiers sacrificed their lives on Gac Ma Island to protect the Fatherland, including 9 comrades in Da Nang city and 1 comrade in Quang Nam province.

“We gather here with all our hearts to light incense on the golden stele engraved with the names of the young men of Da Nang who, despite hardships, volunteered to join the Navy and heroically sacrificed their lives. They sacrificed their lives at such a young age, leaving behind so much love and longing from their families, friends, comrades and society. The immense sea has embraced them, recognizing their indomitable spirit and bravery in sacrificing themselves to protect the country’s sea,” Mr. Nguyen Van Tan shared.

According to Mr. Tan, the COVID-19 epidemic is having a great impact on people's lives, to ensure epidemic prevention, the program was shortened, but we will never forget the heroic martyrs who sacrificed for the Fatherland. Their brave sacrifice has made the golden page of the history of the Vietnam People's Navy even brighter in the heroic history of the Vietnam People's Army. We will forever remember the martyrs' contributions.

Offering incense and releasing flower lanterns to commemorate martyrs who died at Gac Ma Island on the Han River (Da Nang). Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNA

Da Nang City has a road named Truong Sa running along the city's coast, showing the gratitude of Da Nang people for the great contributions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives at Gac Ma Island, and on the other hand, affirming that Hoang Sa-Truong Sa archipelago belongs to Vietnam.

At the ceremony, representatives of the families of martyrs who died on Gac Ma Island and veterans and former soldiers who worked and fought on Truong Sa archipelago observed a minute of silence and offered incense to commemorate the martyrs who died on Gac Ma Island; and also released wreaths and flower lanterns on the Han River to pay tribute to the martyrs.

Colonel Hoang Duy Lap (former Commander of the 83rd Engineer Regiment of the Navy, who directly participated in the Truong Sa naval battle in 1988) shared that this is a "drinking water, remembering its source" activity to commemorate and pay tribute to the martyrs who died to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands; our army and people will never forget the feats of the martyrs who sacrificed for the Fatherland and this is an activity to educate the tradition of patriotism for the younger generations.

Mrs. Tran Thi Hue, the mother of martyr Le The who sacrificed at Gac Ma island, emotionally said that she often attended the memorial service organized by the Liaison Committee and received encouragement and support from organizations and the government; despite the painful losses, Mrs. Hue was very proud of her children who heroically sacrificed to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

At the incense offering ceremony to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Gac Ma incident, representatives of the Dong A University presented 10 gifts (worth 1 million VND/gift) to 10 families of martyrs in Quang Nam and Da Nang who died on Gac Ma island to show gratitude, encouragement and sharing with the families of the martyrs.

According to VNA