10:05, 31/05/2017

Monument for Johnson South Reef soldiers to be unveiled July

Vietnam General Confederation of Labor performed technical inspections and acceptance of the construction on the monument in tribute to soldiers fallen on Johnson South Reef...

On July 27, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor performed technical inspections and acceptance of the construction on the monument in tribute to soldiers fallen on Johnson South Reef known as "Gac Ma" Island in Vietnamese. The memorial site located in Cam Lam District is being hastened to be unveiled on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27th).
 
k
Vietnam General Confederation of Labor’s mission surveys the work on the memorial site for Johnson South Reef soldiers.
 
In the middle of the memorial site are 12m statues depicting the image of soldiers holding the national flag and above is a “circle of immortality”, an icon of solidarity and fortitude. Located in the heart of Bai Dai Tourist Site, the memorial becomes a focus of attention of locals and tourists. Although the construction is unfinished, several groups of tourists and locals have paid visits to the memorial site. More than 30 groups of international and local visitors have visited the monument, laid wreaths, planted trees and donated objects to be exhibited in the underground museum of the memorial site so far. All have shown the deep respect and sincere honor for soldiers fallen on Johnson South Reef, according to Nguyen Hoa, Chairman of Khanh Hoa Labor Confederation.
 
Up till now, many basic works such as a square, stairs up to the monument, a footpath for the disabled, ways for electric cars, a lightning-rod, etc have been completed. The work on wind tombs, an exhibition hall, a park, restrooms and so on are nearing completion.
 
“We are glad that the construction is taking in shape. We are proud to have partly contributed to the monument which symbolizes courage and fortitude to protect the national sovereignty,” says Bui Quoc Dat, a worker of Viet Ngan Basic Construction Enterprise. He has been working at the monument for nearly 3 years since the start of the construction. Another worker named Nguyen Tan Thao, says, “I have been working here for 6 months now. I can see groups of visitors who are friends and relatives of the heroes and martyrs come here to burn incense. I told myself to try my best to fulfill my work to deserve the expectation of relatives of the heroes and martyrs as well as people nationwide.”
 
The general technique of the memorial site has completed and the main monument has been accepted. Some minor modifications are required to make the memorial site more beautiful. More trees and some suitable equipment are requested to be added, according  to Nguyen Truong Luu, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Architect Association.
 
Tran Thanh Hai, Standing Vice-Chairman of Vietnam General Confederation of Labor appreciated the effort of the execution team and gave requests for lighting system modification along the stairs; focus on monument preservation, changes on tree arrangement, exhibit room preparation, a rock engraved with epigraphs written in Vietnamese and English about the memorial site for both local and foreigners to read and have deep understanding about the heroes and martyrs who had devoted their life to protecting the national sovereignty over the sea and islands; and construction completion before June 30 to be inaugurated on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day.
 
The memorial site for Johnson South Reef soldiers spans on an area of 2.5ha with an  estimated investment of over VND150 billion in the first phase. The building cost is sourced from donations by employees and other people nationwide for several years. The 1st phase includes a square, a monument, an exhibition hall and martyrs’ steles. The 2nd phase includes models of Collins Reef, Lansdowne Reef and places for martyrs’ relatives to sightsee.
 
 
Van Giang- Ky Nam
Translated by N.T