From the last letter to the journey of rediscovering the names.
More than 50 years after his sacrifice, the grave of martyr Nguyen Van Buu, a Special Forces soldier of Brigade 126, remains undiscovered. His last letter home has become a sacred memento for his family, and a symbol of the yearning for reunion felt by thousands of martyrs' relatives. During the 500-day campaign to search for, collect, and identify the remains of martyrs whose information is incomplete, that hope is being fueled by science and compassion.
Over half a century waiting for the day to return.
Dear Father: Before going to fight, I'm sending back a few things I won't use, such as: sugar and milk, mosquito net, plastic sheeting, belt, star, military insignia, 2 packs of Chinese Tiger Balm, 1 toy gun, sandals, sandal straps…
Those were the last words remaining in the faded letter of the fallen soldier.Nguyen Van Buu, Special Forces soldier belonging to126th BrigadeThe letter was written before he went into his final battle in 1972.
More than half a century has passed, the ink has faded with time, the paper has yellowed, but every word is still cherished by the family as a treasure. For it is not only the only memento of the son who sacrificed himself for the country, but also the repository of his last words to his homeland. That letter contained no farewells, no fear of war. Just simple words, a few small personal belongings sent home by the soldier, along with words of encouragement to reassure his family. Amidst the fierce bombing, the young soldier only thought of his home in Nghi Trung. But since that letter, he never returned.
Over 50 years of waiting
Martyr Nguyen Van Buu was from...Nghi Trung 2 hamlet, Nghi Loc commune(formerly Nghi Trung commune, old Nghi Loc district). He is one of the descendants of the Nguyen family, a lineage rich in patriotic traditions. During the two wars to defend the Fatherland, dozens of members of the family enlisted in the army. In the resistance against French colonialism alone, this family had...3 martyrs, the resistance against the US had10 martyrs.
These numbers speak volumes about the sacrifices a family made for the country.
However, amidst the Certificates of Recognition from the Fatherland and the altars filled with incense smoke, there remains an unceasing sense of guilt, as even today, two sons of the family are...Martyr Nguyen Van BuuandMartyr Nguyen Van TyThe grave has not yet been found.
There are separations that last for more than half a century. There are mothers, siblings, and relatives who pass away one after another without ever knowing where their family's soldier is buried.
"As soon as I hear about going to find the graves of fallen soldiers, I go right away."
VeteranNguyen Van TyHe was both a cousin and a comrade of the fallen soldier Nguyen Van Buu. Although he returned home with 81% injuries, he repeatedly returned to the old battlefield, directly participating in the search and recovery of four of his comrades, bringing them back to their families. However, he has yet to bring his nephew, his fellow soldier, back to his hometown.
Despite his advanced age, being over 70 years old this year, whenever the topic of searching for fallen soldiers comes up, he remains resolute:"Just tell me to go find the graves of fallen soldiers and I'll go right away. I'll go for as long as it takes."
The letter - a glimmer of hope that never faded.
The family was overjoyed when they received news that there was a grave bearing the name Nguyen Van Buu. But the joy was short-lived. It was only a symbolic grave. Hope was dashed once again. Yet, the last letter was still cherished and kept by the family. Every time they open and read it, everyone feels as if the soldier from that year is still here. The simple words have become the only thread connecting the present with the past, connecting those who remain with those who have sacrificed their lives.
More than half a century after the war, the search for fallen soldiers has entered a new phase. It relies not only on the memories of comrades, maps, or limited information, but also on science.
InA 500-day campaign to search for, collect, and identify the remains of fallen soldiers whose information is incomplete.The families of martyrs Nguyen Van Buu and Nguyen Van Ty have actively cooperated in collecting DNA samples, believing that one day, their loved ones will be called by their rightful names. Each sample today is not simply test data. It represents hope, a promise from today's generation to those who have fallen, and a journey to bring these soldiers home after more than half a century.
To ensure that letters are no longer left unfinished.
Fifty years have passed since the war ended, the forests of yesteryear have turned green again, and the trenches are now covered with grass. Yet, there are still families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. In a corner of a faded page, the handwriting of martyr Nguyen Van Buu remains intact. It is the last words of a son to his family before going to war, and also a reminder to today's generation of the value of peace, a peace bought with the blood and bones of countless soldiers.
Time may fade the paper, the years may blur the ink, but the desire to find the names of those who sacrificed their lives has never faded. And one day, not far from now, soldiers like Nguyen Van Buu, Nguyen Van Ty, and thousands of other martyrs whose information is still unknown will return to their homeland, to their families, to the embrace of loved ones who have waited for over half a century. Because after all, the most sacred thing is not just finding a grave, but restoring the names of those who dedicated their youth to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.