More than 2,186 DNA samples send hope
From July 13 to 16, Vinh Long province implemented a peak period of collecting DNA biological samples from relatives of unidentified martyrs at 22 focal points throughout the province, responding to the "500-day and night campaign to promote the search, repatriation and identification of martyrs' remains".
After 4 days of deployment, the police force in coordination with specialized units collected 2,186 DNA biological samples. Each biological sample is an important data for testing, and at the same time sends the hope of families who have waited for news of their loved ones for more than half a century.
Behind the number 2. 186 DNA samples are thousands of unfinished stories. Many people bring death notices, Fatherland Certificates of Merit and old keepsakes with the sole wish that one day their loved ones will be called by their proper names and return to their homeland.
Mr. Cao Van Dong, residing in Ba Tuc hamlet, Tra Cu commune, shared that he was stunned when he received the death certificate of his sacrificed brother. For more than 50 years, the family still does not know where he fell, where his remains were buried by comrades on which battlefield.
I just hope to identify the place where he sacrificed to bring him back to his homeland. The family has been waiting for this day for too long," Mr. Dong said emotionally after completing the DNA biopsy.
And Mrs. Tram Hoang My, residing in Vam Ray hamlet, Ham Giang commune, still cherishes the "Fatherland Remembers Merit" Certificate of her brother who sacrificed on April 30, 1975. For more than half a century, pride in that soldier has always gone hand in hand with the remorse of not finding his resting place.
According to Mrs. My, her brother regrouped to the North at the age of 14, later becoming Company Commander. In the final battle, he volunteered to shoot down enemy tanks and then bravely sacrificed himself, but his comrades could not find his body in the fierce battlefield.
Bringing outstanding children back to their motherland
Sharing the same expectation, Mr. Duong Preu, residing in Kos La hamlet, Tra Cu commune, brought the Certificate of Merit to the Fatherland and related documents to his two brothers, martyrs Duong Soc and Duong KhRhet, to serve information comparison.
Mr. Priêu said that his mother was awarded the title of Vietnamese Heroic Mother, but until the end of her life, she was still worried because she did not know where her two children had sacrificed and rested. That is an unquenchable concern in the family.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Be Muoi - Vice Chairwoman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee, Head of Steering Committee 515 of the province - said that currently the whole province still has 3,974 martyrs whose remains have not been found out of a total of more than 70,128 martyrs. Many cases have not yet identified their identities, hometowns and places of rest.
According to Mrs. Muoi, each remains of a fallen soldier that has not been found is a pain for the Party Committee, government and people. The work of collecting and identifying the names of fallen soldiers is not only a political task but also a sacred journey of gratitude to those who have dedicated their youth for national independence.
The collection of DNA biological samples will contribute to completing the national database, opening up more opportunities to identify unknown martyrs, helping many families close the decades-long search journey.
Each successful DNA test result not only connects a bloodline cut off by war, but also brings a soldier back to his name, homeland and relatives' arms. That is also how today's generation continues the morality of "When drinking water, remember the source", expressing gratitude to those who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
