Search for you with blue hair
In recent days, the atmosphere of Mr. Le Xuan Phuoc's family (68 years old, in Dong Anh Vinh village, Hoang Loc commune, Thanh Hoa province) has been warmer when many neighbors and relatives came to visit and congratulate him for finding the remains and identifying the relatives - a martyr who died in Hang Tam Co, Quang Tri province.
Sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Le Xuan Phuoc said that he is the younger brother of martyr Le Thi Mai, who died 53 years ago in the Hang Tam Co area. "My sister passed away that day, along with many of my teammates who were young volunteers. After more than half a century, when I received news from the authorities of Quang Tri province that I had found her remains, which matched the DNA of a relative, I just listened to it, and my tears kept flowing. I cried for happiness" - Mr. Phuoc was moved.
According to Mr. Phuoc, since his sister died, the family has been searching and hoping to find her remains one day to ease the pain. Over the past 30 years, he has traveled and searched countless times since his green hair was white.
Among the 8 families searching for martyrs remains in Hang Tam Co, I was almost the first to set foot in the cave. That year was December 1995. From the information in the newspaper, I knew she had sacrificed in this area, so I took a boat from Thanh Hoa to Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province to search. When I left, I just thought that if there was a grave there, I would take it back to my hometown" - Mr. Phuoc recalled.
According to him, 30 years ago, the road to Quang Binh was extremely difficult. When he arrived at the provincial center, he had to take a bus to about 70km more to Tan Trach commune, Bo Trach district. From here, to get to Hang Tam Co (Son Trach commune), he had to ask the commune officials to guide him, walking from 4am to 12pm to get there.
At that time, the cave area was still very wild, with only a stele in front of the gate bearing the names of the martyrs. When I saw my sister's name - martyr Le Thi Mai - I was both happy and choked up. When asked, I found out that the remains and grave had not been found, I only knew that she had sacrificed in this area. I returned to my hometown with the hope that one day I would find her remains" - Mr. Phuoc said.
After many years, Mr. Phuoc and the martyrs' families still persistently travel and search, despite many difficulties. Thanks to the perseverance of relatives and the drastic participation of authorities, by October, the results of DNA testing had determined that 8 remains matched relatives.
With a common grave, we also feel secure
Unlike the atmosphere of Mr. Phuoc's family, during the recent excavation and DNA examination, the family of Mr. Nguyen Van Phi (68 years old, in Dai Truong village, Hoang Tien commune, Thanh Hoa province) still could not find the remains of his relative - martyr Nguyen Van Phuong, one of the 8 young volunteers who died in the Hang Tam Co area.
Mr. Phi said that on November 7, the authorities of Quang Tri province invited the families to attend the memorial service, confirming the results of the remains of the martyrs. "When I went in, I was informed that my brother's remains had not been found. However, unlike previous times, this time many remains that match the DNA of relatives have been identified. All are buried in a common grave" - Mr. Phi shared.
According to Mr. Phi, the common burial of martyrs' remains makes families somewhat reassured. "Eight young volunteers, including my brother, were confirmed to have died at that location. Therefore, that common grave is also considered a resting place for all brothers and sisters who have heroically sacrificed for the Fatherland" - Mr. Phi said emotionally.
Previously, on November 8, a visitation, memorial service and burial of martyrs' remains took place. After the funeral, the collected martyrs' remains were buried in a common grave right at the entrance to Hang Tam Co.
According to the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, the Martyr Remains Collection Team 589 (Quang Tri Provincial Military Command) discovered and collected the remains of martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives on the 20 Quyet Thang road.
Following the wishes of relatives, the Provincial People's Committee has requested GeneStory Joint Stock Company to support DNA assessment from socialized sources. The results showed that the examination samples all matched the samples of martyrs' relatives. The remains, relics and DNA samples were buried in a common grave right at the entrance to Hang Tam Co.
