QUẢNG TRỊ — The central province of Quảng Trị’s People’s Committee, in coordination with relevant offices, held a memorial service and re-buried 40 martyrs’ remains at the Quảng Trị Township Martyrs’ Cemetery on February 1.

The remains were taken to the martyrs’ cemetery after more than 20 days of search.

Speaking at the memorial service, Mai Thức, vice chairman of Quảng Trị Province People’s Committee, said, the war was long over, but still many martyrs’ remains were not found, and many mothers and wives had not found the graves of their children and husbands.

“After many years, the martyrs’ remains have been gathered to be re-buried at the Quảng Trị Town Martyrs’ Cemetery. This shows our emotions and infinite grief,” Thức said.

“Today’s results are thanks to the timely help and information provided by officials, people in Tân Mỹ Village, and soldiers who were part of the martyrs’ remains searching team.”

Although the search for the remains of the martyrs was extremely difficult in the cold weather and heavy rains, with deep feelings and determination to ensure the martyrs rest in their hometown, the soldiers fulfilled their task, Thức said.

Previously, after getting news from the local people, the martyrs’ remains search team, under Quảng Trị Province’s Military Command, coordinated with the authorities to search for the remains of the martyrs in Tân Mỹ Village, Hải Lệ Commune, Quảng Trị Town.

After several days of search in the area of some 300sq.m near the Thạch Hãn River, the team found remains of 40 martyrs and many relics, such as AK bullets, shoes and hammocks.

Representatives of the National Steering Committee for the Search and Gathering Martyrs’ Remains (National Steering Committee 1237), Military Zone 4 and Quảng Trị Province’s officials attended the memorial service and offered incense.

The ceremony was held solemnly to remember the merits of heroes and martyrs who fell for the cause of national liberation. — VNS