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Race Against Time: Searching for Martyrs' Remains in Quang Tri
In Vietnam's central Quang Tri province, efforts continue to collect the remains of fallen soldiers from battlefields over half a century old. The Sư đoàn 968 unit's search team, guided by testimonies and old maps, operates under difficult conditions. Recently, three sets of remains were found in an old combat dugout.
At elevation 278, Tan Hoa village, Hieu Giang commune, Quang Tri province, in the northeastern region. More than half a century has passed, and the traces of war are gradually being erased by time and nature. However, in this place that was once a fierce battlefield, there are still soldiers who have not returned. The remains search and collection team of Division 968 persistently excavates survey pits, following the accounts of witnesses, old maps, and small traces amidst the vast forest. After many days of searching, three sets of martyrs' remains were discovered in an old combat dugout, at a depth of approximately 70cm. This activity highlights the reality that decades after the end of the Vietnam War (known as the American War in Vietnam), the remains of many fallen soldiers remain undiscovered. Quang Tri province, in particular, was located on the border between North and South Vietnam and was the scene of intense ground battles and bombings, making the task of collecting remains particularly challenging. The Vietnamese government considers the collection and commemoration of martyrs' remains a national priority, and similar activities are ongoing across the country. However, they face numerous challenges, including vast battlefield areas, topographical changes, and the aging of witnesses. These efforts are crucial for remembering the tragedies of past wars and renewing vows for peace.
Original source
Nhan Dan