104 remains of fallen soldiers were collected during the 2016-2017 dry season.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of June 16, the Provincial Steering Committee 1237 held a conference to summarize the work of collecting the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos.

Overview of the concluding conference.

During the 2016-2017 dry season, Nghe An province was tasked with organizing forces to search for, exhume, and relocate 80 graves of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in the three provinces of Xieng Khouang, Vientiane, and Xaysambun (Lao People's Democratic Republic), and 5 graves of martyrs in Nghe An province that had not yet been gathered into martyrs' cemeteries.

Although the search and repatriation of the remains of fallen soldiers in Nghe An province and in Laos faced many difficulties, the Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command thoroughly implemented the directives and orders of the Military Region Commander, the Steering Committee 1237 at all levels, and the Special Task Force of Nghe An province. They promptly adopted policies and measures to provide close leadership and guidance, motivating officers and soldiers to uphold a high sense of responsibility, strive to overcome difficulties, hardships, and dangers, and effectively carry out civilian affairs and military diplomacy. They also secured the support and assistance of the Party committees, government, armed forces, and people of the Lao ethnic groups, thus successfully completing the assigned tasks.

The team from the Provincial Military Command recovered the remains of fallen soldiers in Xaysambun province (Lao People's Democratic Republic) during the 2016-2017 dry season.

The Provincial People's Committee advised the Special Task Force to send a delegation to Laos to receive and transport 104 remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos, ensuring they are brought back to Vietnam for burial at the Nghi Loc District Martyrs' Cemetery in accordance with proper rituals, with meticulous care, respect, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Along with carrying out the repatriation mission, it has also contributed to the development of the economy, culture, and society, strengthening national defense and security, and consolidating the solidarity between the two Parties and the two nations of Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Nghe An and Xieng Khouang, Vientiane, and Xaysomboun in particular.

Speaking at the conference, Comrade Le Ngoc Hoa commended and highly appreciated the officers and soldiers of the Provincial Military Command for successfully completing their assigned tasks. He affirmed that over 40 years have passed, the terrain and landmarks have changed significantly; very few witnesses remain, and those who do are elderly and frail, unable to provide much information. Therefore, achieving results exceeding the plan is the result of the tremendous efforts of the officers and soldiers of the Provincial Military Command.

Comrade Le Ngoc Hoa delivered a speech giving directions at the conference.

Regarding the work of collecting the remains of fallen soldiers during the 2017-2018 dry season and subsequent years, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Provincial Military Command to focus on the following key tasks: Concentrate on decisive and coordinated leadership and direction of tasks, objectives, and appropriate solutions for the search and collection of the remains of fallen soldiers in Laos as well as within the province. Emphasize assigning responsibilities to relevant departments and collection teams;

Continue to do a good job of widely disseminating information about the Party and State's policies and guidelines, especially Prime Minister's Decision 1237 and directives and instructions from all levels on the work of searching for and collecting the remains of martyrs, and educating people about the national tradition of remembering those who sacrificed for the country. Encourage the people to provide information about the graves of martyrs, especially in areas that were previously heavily attacked by the enemy;

Attention should be paid to the regulations and policies for officers and non-commissioned officers participating in the search and repatriation of remains, so that they can work with peace of mind. The repatriation process must involve drawing detailed diagrams of each grave and location, maintaining strict records, and concluding the areas where remains have been collected. At the end of each repatriation effort, it is necessary to actively and proactively coordinate closely with relevant units to verify and compare archived records with repatriation records, striving to the utmost to identify the remains of fallen soldiers.

The Provincial Military Command awarded certificates of commendation to 18 individuals for their outstanding achievements in the work of collecting the remains of fallen soldiers during the 2016-2017 dry season.

At the closing ceremony, the Provincial Military Command awarded certificates of merit to 3 collectives and 18 individuals for their outstanding achievements in the work of collecting the remains of fallen soldiers during the 2017 dry season.

Canh Nam