Cremation ceremony held for fallen Cambodian soldiers

Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong (front line, left) and other delegates at the event

The remains were excavated in Vietnamese province of Dong Nai and repatriated home in a ceremony held in Vietnamese province of Binh Phuoc a day before. The fallen Cambodian troops were members of Division 125 (currently the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces).

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction Chea Sopham and Deputy Defense Minister and Chairman of the Vietnamese Government’s Specialized Committee Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong attended the event.

In a solemn atmosphere, Lieutenant General Saoda Ravut, Director of the Military-Civilian Department under the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces stressed that Cambodians from all walks of life joined Cambodian troops to fight against Pol Pot genocidal regime. Led by Hun Sen (now the Prime Minister of Cambodia), troops of the Cambodia’s united armed forces for national salvation traveled to Vietnam to seek help. With great support from Vietnam, Division 125 developed constantly. Together with troops from the Vietnam People’s Army, it overthrew the Pol Pot genocidal regime, bringing back peace, freedom, and happiness for Cambodian people. The liberation day from the genocidal regime is considered the second birthday of all Cambodians.

At the cremation ceremony

While performing their duties, 49 troops of Division 125 were wounded and dead. Their bodies were buried in Long Giao townlet, Cam Thuy district, Vietnamese province of Dong Nai and their tombs were carefully looked after by Military Region 7 Command and local party committee, authorities and people.

At the event, Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense delegation offered incense and expressed their respect for Cambodian fallen soldiers’ patriotism and combat will.

Translated by Mai Huong