Lê Văn Xuân (left, 63 years old from Hòa Cường Nam Ward in Hải Châu District of Da Nang city), father of martyr Lê Văn Xanh, talks about the torn naval uniform, the left keepsake of martyr Xanh (Photo by Nguyễn Tú of Thanh Nien Newspaper)

(VOVworld) – Da Nang city on Tuesday presented gifts to the relatives of soldiers who laid down their lives for their country on Gac Ma Island in the Truong Sa/Spratly archipelago 24 years ago. The 80-year-old Nguyen Thi Truoc, the mother of martyr Phan Van Loi, says ‘Although my son’s death was a great loss for my family, we’re very proud as he sacrificed himself for the nation. We’re also extremely moved to receive support and acknowledgement from the Government’.

In March 1988, more than 60 military personnel from the Vietnamese People’s Naval Force died heroically defending Gac Ma Island in Truong Sa Archipelago. A series of events to show the nation’s gratitude to the martyrs of Gac Ma Island take place and over 60,000 USD is expected to be raised and presented to the relatives of the 64 martyrs.