Over the past time, the Search and Collection Team of the Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command has worked tirelessly to search and collect the remains of fallen soldiers, bringing them home for reburial in cemeteries.
Breaking through rock in search for martyrs’ remains
On implementing the “500-day campaign to accelerate the search, collection, and identification of fallen soldiers’ remains,” the Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command has consolidated its Search and Collection Team, reinforced manpower, equipment, supplies, and technical means, and closely coordinated with engineering units to simultaneously clear unexploded ordnance and conduct the search and recovery of fallen soldiers’ remains.
    |
 |
|
The Search and Collection Team of the Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command carrying recovery procedures after locating the remains of a fallen soldier |
Under the scorching summer days, as soon as the sun rose, Colonel Tran Quang Huy, Head of the Search and Collection Team, and his personnel began their mission. At Hill A5 in Giang Nam village, Thanh Thuy commune, team members used hoes, shovels, and crowbars to excavate sites suspected of containing fallen soldiers’ remains.
Despite wearing protective gloves, troops’ hands become calloused from the demanding workload. After only a short period of digging, their uniforms are soaked with sweat. Yet no one loses heart. Col. Huy shared that the search for fallen soldiers’ remains has become increasingly difficult due to the passage of time and changes in the terrain. Moreover, this was once a fierce battlefield, and unexploded bombs, mines, and other ordnance still remain, posing constant danger. However, the team remain united and highly determined during task performance, showing their responsibility and sentiments towards the fallen.
Whenever information is provided by local people, team members promptly compare it with existing maps and records, verify the details, delineate the search area on the ground, and organize search operations.
Pro-actively gathering information from local people
To facilitate the search and collection of fallen soldiers’ remains, the team has relied on information provided by local people and veterans who once fought on the Vi Xuyen Front. According to Lieutenant Colonel Bui Phu Vinh, Political Officer of the Search and Collection Team under the Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command, local authorities have demonstrated great dedication and responsibility in disseminating information and encouraging local people to provide information and support the team. Thanks to valuable leads from witnesses and local people, the team has found and gathered many fallen soldiers’ remains.
Recently, veteran Nong Hoanh Hoi from Dong Yen commune, Tuyen Quang province, provided information regarding martyr Ha Quyet Tien from Company 20, Staff Department, Ha Tuyen provincial Military Command. During field operations, guided by veteran Hoi, the team found the remains of martyr Ha Quyet Tien and also discovered three additional sets of remains whose identities have yet to be determined.
Most recently, veteran Nguyen Van Quyen, Former Deputy Political Commanding Officer of Battalion 5, Regiment 266, Division 313, currently in Lang Giang commune, Bac Ninh province, reported that a platoon had come under enemy attack and suffered heavy casualties. Based on the information provided by the veteran, the team verified the details, cross-checked historical records, and prepared search operations. As a result, they recovered a set of unidentified remains along with several personal artifacts in the area of Hill 685 in Nam Ngat village, Thanh Thuy commune.
Driven by a determination to overcome harsh weather conditions and race against time, the team has, since the launch of the campaign, collected the remains of 10 fallen soldiers as well as two collective gravesites of martyrs.
Translated by Quynh Oanh