US veteran returns Vietnamese martyr's relics after 58 years of keeping them secret

The box containing war memories after 58 years was given back to the family of martyr Kha Van Viet in the emotional program "Forever the Triumphant Song".

On the evening of April 27, the national television broadcast " Forever the Triumphant Song" took place solemnly, connecting three historical locations: Hanoi , Quang Tri and Ho Chi Minh City.

One of the most touching moments in the program was the meeting and exchange of souvenirs at the Ho Chi Minh City bridgehead. The moment brought tears to many viewers, becoming a vivid testament to the healing, understanding and humanity that overcomes all the pain of war.

It was a meeting between Mr. Adolph Novello - a veteran of the US Marine Corps, and the family of martyr Kha Van Viet in Vietnam.

Martyr Kha Van Viet died at the age of 20, leaving his family no mementos.

Martyr Kha Van Viet was born and raised in a Thai ethnic family in a poor mountainous commune in Tuong Duong district, Nghe An . At the age of 17, he joined the army because he was healthy, agile and brave. He died at the age of 20, in the fierce year of 1967, and did not leave his family any mementos. All that remained to remember him was the death certificate and the certificate of merit from the Fatherland.

Mr. Adolph Novello fought in Vietnam during the fierce period of 1967-1968, belonging to Company E, Battalion 2, Regiment 9, Marine Corps, US Army. During those fierce days, the task after each battle of soldiers like him was to search the enemy's bodies to find information about the unit.

"I saw with my own eyes Vietnamese soldiers hit by napalm bombs, they were burning, screaming. That was my first day. I really can't talk about it. We were always ordered to search the bodies after each battle to find information about their unit. The man I searched had no information, I kept what I found, didn't throw it away, so I have that box" , Mr. Adolph Novello choked back tears as he recalled.

Mr. Adolph Novello, an American veteran, tearfully shared about the war in Vietnam.

To him, the brutality of war was like a black and white film that repeated over and over again in his memory, something he always tried to avoid. He kept it all locked away in his heart and locked it in a box.

"I was afraid to open it, never dared to look inside. Because I didn't have enough courage, bravery to open it, to face what was inside. I didn't want to, I kept thinking, the box was still closed, sealed, the past could not return" , he added. Before leaving this life, he wanted his family to know more about the war in Vietnam, something he had never really shared. This was one of the reasons that urged him to open the box that had been sealed for half a century.

And the moment the box was opened, it brought a haunting but very human truth. Realizing that the soldier opposite also had a life, had loved ones waiting, he felt it was unfair to the martyr's family that these mementos could not be returned to them.

From that thought, Mr. Adolph Novello cherished a burning desire to return these documents and mementos to the martyr's relatives. It was a meaningful journey of searching and connecting.

In the television program " Echoing the Triumphant Remembrance" , audiences across the country witnessed a sacred and touching moment: the handover of the relic to the family of martyr Kha Van Viet. Due to health reasons, Mr. Adolph Novello could not be present in person at the Ho Chi Minh City bridgehead, but he sent his wishes and the relic box through the program's crew representative.

Representatives of martyr Kha Van Viet's family received priceless relics.

The box was given to the martyr’s family representative. These were small souvenirs, but they carried the enormous weight of history, war, and humanity. Inside the box were priceless souvenirs: martyr Kha Van Viet’s identity card, a letter of introduction from the group when he died at the age of 20, a commendation notice, and a certificate of injury.

And especially, in the box there was also a photo - the only photo that the family of martyr Kha Van Viet had never seen. It was the image of a young man with determined eyes, full of vitality of the age of 20.

The family representative, Mr. Kha Duong Tien - cousin of martyr Kha Van Viet, was present to receive his brother's mementos. The moment he received the box, Mr. Kha Duong Tien burst into tears, emotionally holding them tightly in his hands. He choked up and said: " That's my brother. I, Kha Duong Tien, cousin of martyr Kha Van Viet, from Tuong Duong, Nghe An, came to receive my brother's mementos ."

At that moment, after many long years without even a single photo to worship, the young martyr Kha Van Viet seemed to have "returned" more completely into the arms of his family.

To help the family have a more sacred and solemn keepsake, the program gave a meaningful gift, which was a photo of the martyr, enlarged, restored and made into a memorial photo. The photo was returned to the family amid the deep emotion of all those who witnessed it.

The only photo of the martyr was enlarged, restored and made into a sacred worship photo.

The return of these sacred relics, which the American veteran had kept for his entire life, was a powerful reminder that no matter how brutal war is, it will eventually pass. People, no matter on either side, will eventually meet in understanding, in love, with a common desire for peace , cooperation and sustainable development.

This story is a testament to the humane spirit of the Vietnamese people and their efforts to reconcile and heal the wounds of war, moving towards a better future for the relationship between the two countries.

Le Chi

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cuu-binh-my-trao-tra-ky-vat-liet-si-viet-nam-sau-58-nam-giu-kin-ar940298.html