On the morning of July 9, the specialized force continued to expand the scope of searching for remains at Le Thi Rieng Park. The exhumation work was adjusted in method, carried out carefully to best serve the identification of heroic martyrs.
According to records, after discovering many remains and artifacts in previous days, functional forces used excavators to excavate and expand the search area to a depth of more than 2m. To ensure absolute safety before carrying out manual excavation steps, bomb and mine clearance engineering forces were mobilized to thoroughly inspect the entire area.
The expansion of the search scope is carried out on the basis of re-evaluating the scene, combining with comparing historical documents and information provided by witnesses. This work is being implemented very urgently, in accordance with procedures with the highest goal of not missing any locations that may still have martyrs' remains.
Sergeant Vu Duc Tam - member of the Team for Searching and Repatriating Martyrs' Remains - shared that all officers and soldiers participating in the mission are working with the highest sense of responsibility. Each stage is carried out carefully and meticulously to protect the remains as well as the artifacts of the martyrs.
Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung - Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Command - said that the unit has reported to the Steering Committee of Military Region 7 and the Ho Chi Minh City Steering Committee to agree on a plan to exhume each layer of soil. The separation of each layer of soil will ensure the full and accurate storage of information and artifacts to serve the appraisal and verification of identity later.
In parallel with the search, the forces are closely coordinating with the Vietnam Military History Museum to handle, preserve and study the documents and artifacts collected, thereby maximizing the identification clues.
Referring to the next direction, Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung said that the Ho Chi Minh City Command will continue to advise the Steering Committees at all levels to expand the search at ditch No. 2 and ditch No. 3, where there is a suspected mass grave. The implementation process will strictly adhere to the motto "easy to do first, difficult to do later" and "do as sure as possible", ensuring science, tightness, absolutely not allowing errors to occur, contributing to bringing the martyrs back to their comrades and families soon.
Many valuable sources of information about the martyr burial pit in the Tan Son Nhat airport area
Regarding the information that the Ho Chi Minh City Command issued a notice to collect information and verify the burial location of martyrs who sacrificed in the Tan Son Nhat airport battle on the night of January 30, early morning of January 31, 1968, Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung said: "In just one day of being supported by the press and the online community, we have received more than 50 valuable text messages and calls to serve the search. We hope that the media agencies will continue to accompany and support the 500-day and night campaign. This journey will continue until the mission is completed, bringing all of them back to their families. Currently, functional agencies are also urgently consolidating data for the search for martyrs' remains in the Tan Son Nhat airport area".
