On Monday, a ceremony took place to commemorate the 64 martyrs who laid down their lives in the Gac Ma Island battle in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago on 14 March 1988.  The ceremony was held on the pier of the Zone II Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Da Nang’s Son Tra District. 

The annual event was organised for the fourth time by the city’s Liaison Committee for the Truong Sa archipelago’s ex-soldiers and war veterans. 

The war veterans and ex-servicemen offering incense

At the ceremony, war-veterans and ex-servicemen who once served on the archipelago recalled their unforgettable memories of this historical event.  They also offered incense as well as floated fresh flower garlands and candle-lit flower garlands on the waters in commemoration of the martyrs.

Amongst the 64 martyrs, 7 were from Da Nang and they joined the military service together in 1987.  After being trained at the Navy Division No 126, they were assigned to serve in the city-based Engineering Brigade 83 of the Viet Nam People’s Navy in September 1987.