The Fatherland never forgets

More than half a century has passed since the war ended, yet for many families of fallen soldiers, the pain endures. The remains of their loved ones still rest somewhere along the roads of the Fatherland, and even in neighboring countries. The journey to bring them home is filled with hardship and sacrifice, but the Party, the State, the armed forces, and the people of Vietnam remain steadfast in their commitment. Their tireless efforts ensure that families have the chance to visit, remember, and pay tribute to those who gave their lives for the nation.

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During the resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, thousands of brave sons of Tuyen Quang laid down their lives on fierce battlefields such as Quang Tri, the Central Highlands, Southern Laos, and Cambodia.

At the Vi Xuyen Front, during the decade-long struggle to defend the northern border (1979–1989), more than 4,000 officers and soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice for the peace and sacred independence of the Fatherland, among them many were sons of Tuyen Quang. Here, every mountainside, every inch of soil is steeped in the blood and bones of heroic martyrs. To this day, the journey to search for and retrieve their remains continues - a mission without end. It is not only a duty, but a silent vow to those who gave their lives; a race against time and nature to recover memories, and to bring these fallen sons home to their land and their loved ones.

The search for the remains of fallen soldiers is not only a professional duty, but also an emotional journey, one of gratitude and profound humanity. It is our way of sending a message to the past: those who sacrificed for the nation will never be forgotten.

Each grave erected, each relic given back to a loved one is a part of history returned to its rightful place, a promise of the Fatherland fully realized.

On that journey, each quiet step taken by those searching for the remains of fallen soldiers is a powerful symbol of Vietnam’s enduring moral tradition: “When drinking water, remember its source.” It is a value that the Vietnamese people have upheld and passed down through generations.

Phuong Dong