Each set of remains recovered means another fallen soldier can return home, bringing hope to a waiting family. These efforts are among the practical activities undertaken by the teams ahead of the 80th anniversary of Military Region 2’s armed forces’ foundation day (October 19, 1946 - 2026).
Tracing memories on Da Voi Hill
At Da Voi Hill in Group 39, Cam Duong ward, Lao Cai province, the personnel of the Martyrs’ Remains Search and Collection Team under the Lao Cai provincial Military Command are carefully removing layers of soil and examining every unusual sign in their search for the remains of those who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland.
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The search and collection operation conducted at Da Voi Hill |
Da Voi Hill is familiar not only to local residents but also to veterans who fought along the Lao Cai border and still carry memories of the battles and comrades who never returned.
Veteran Tran Minh Bai from Group 22, Lao Cai ward, has provided important information to the search force. Enlisting in January 1976, he served in Battalion 1, Regiment 121 of the former Hoang Lien Son provincial Military Command, and later Battalion 4, Regiment 121, Division 345 under Military Region 2.
He and his comrades took part in numerous battles to defend the border at Hill 368, Bridge No.9, and other areas in Lao Cai province. According to the veteran, many officers and soldiers of Regiment 121, Regiment 118, local armed public security, and the self-defense force of the Cam Duong Apatite Mine fought bravely and sacrificed their lives. After the battles, they were buried in the Lo Voi Hill area, now known as Da Voi Hill.
According to him, more than 200 martyrs were once buried at Da Voi Hill. The graves were arranged in 23 to 25 rows, with eight to 10 graves in each row. Although many remains have since been relocated to martyrs’ cemeteries in Lao Cai province, the remains of some martyrs have yet to be found.
Based on this information, the team of the Lao Cai provincial Military Command conducted surveys and searches at suspected locations while gradually expanding the search area.
Colonel Phung Duc Anh, head of the team, said the unit had mobilized more than 50 officers and personnel for the search at Da Voi Hill.
Following the contours of the hill, the force carefully removed layers of soil and examined them for traces. As a result, the team recently found and collected 28 sets of martyrs’ remains.
Bringing martyrs’ remains home
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of Military Region 2’s foundation day, the Martyrs’ Remains Search and Collection Team (provisional) under the Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command has actively conducted searches in Thanh Thuy, Minh Tan, and Bach Dich communes, successfully recovering 12 sets of remains.
Colonel Bui Phu Vinh, Political Officer of the Tuyen Quang team, said there were many difficulties facing the search work due to the complex terrain and the passage of time fading battlefield traces. However, the troops regard the mission as a sacred duty and remain determined to bring the martyrs’ remains home as soon as possible.
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Leaders of Lao Cai province and the provincial Military Command discuss burial locations with a veteran. |
He added that the whole team is determined to overcome difficulties, make use of every available piece of information, and make the most of its time to improve search effectiveness. With the thought that every set of remains recovered brings hope to another waiting family, team members constantly encourage one another to persevere and carry out their mission with the highest sense of responsibility.
According to Colonel Bui Phu Vinh, two of the 12 sets of remains recently found in Bach Dich commune have been identified. They are martyr Lo Trong Sang, born in 1957 and from Phuong Mao village, Tam Thanh commune, Phu Tho province, and martyr Tran Xuan Vung, born in 1961 and from Phu Cuong commune, Soc Son district, Ha Noi.
Both martyrs belonged to the former Yen Minh district Military Command and sacrificed their lives in April 1984 at Hill 1250, on the Southern slope of Bac Mountain in Phu Lung village, Bach Dich commune.
The Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command is currently coordinating with relevant agencies to verify information and locate the martyrs’ relatives. All 12 sets of remains have been brought to the waiting house of the Tuyen Quang team for preservation and incense offering.
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The personnel of the search and collection team under the Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command collect martyrs’ remains. |
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Martyrs’ remains are preserved at the waiting house of the Martyrs’ Remains Search and Collection Team under the Tuyen Quang provincial Military Command. |
As the 80th anniversary of Military Region 2’s foundation day approaches, officers and personnel of the search teams across Military Region 2 continue to quietly trace the fading footprints of war through the forests.
They share a simple yet sacred wish: to bring the martyrs home as soon as possible to their homeland, families, and comrades.
Translated by Minh Anh