According to the plan issued by the Steering Committee for Searching, Repatriating and Identifying Martyrs' Remains of Ho Chi Minh City, the program will begin with a ceremony to offer incense and flowers to commemorate heroic martyrs, then officially deploy the search and repatriation of remains.
At the ceremony, the Steering Committee will report on the preparation and implementation of the search and repatriation of martyrs' remains at Le Thi Rieng Park. The program is also expected to have a speech by the Government leader, a speech expressing the determination of the task force and gift-giving activities to encourage officers and soldiers directly participating in the search.
After the ritual part, the delegates will offer incense at the mass at the collective grave of heroic martyrs and perform the ritual of repatriating remains according to the regulations and instructions of the General Department of Politics, Ministry of National Defense.
Previously, from June 15, the Ho Chi Minh City Command coordinated with the Institute of Design (General Department of Logistics and Technology), Hanoi University of Science and Technology, University of Science and Ben Thanh Water Supply Joint Stock Company to conduct surveys using ground-penetrating radar technology in 3 areas in Le Thi Rieng Park.
These are locations identified as suspected to be mass graves of about 900 martyrs who sacrificed in the General Offensive and Uprising of Spring Mau Than 1968.
The first area is about 800 m2 wide, located next to the Traditional House and The Huc bridge; the second area is about 500 m2 wide, near the bird cafe; the remaining area is about 1,200 m2 wide, near the billiard yard. These three locations are quite close to each other, within a radius of about 50 m.
Initial survey results recorded many abnormal signs underground. Data collected from survey participating units is similar, creating a basis for deploying excavation and search work.
To serve the gathering, the Ho Chi Minh City Command has arranged a drainage pump system, erected tents to protect the excavation area and completed the construction site.
At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City also requested the Ministry of National Defense to support forensic forces to take DNA samples in case of finding remains, serving the work of identifying martyrs.
