Relics of fallen soldiers return home.

Overwhelmed with happiness and profound emotion, the relatives and families of the three martyrs from Quang Tri province were deeply moved when the Department of Social Policy, General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army, presented them with sacred relics and mementos at the end of March 2025. These relics and mementos hold immense spiritual value, expressing deep gratitude to the martyrs and their families.

Mr. Vo Tat Rot, from Dai Hao village, Trieu Dai commune, Trieu Phong district, the nephew of martyr Vo Gia, examines the returned relics and mementos - Photo: D.V.

The Department of Social Policy recently handed over artifacts and mementos, including military records, diplomas, certificates, and commendations, to the relatives of three martyrs from Trieu Phong and Hai Lang districts. The martyrs whose artifacts and mementos were received are: Martyr Vo Da, born in 1925, died in 1950; Martyr Nguyen Dang Ngai, born in 1928, died in 1953; and Martyr Nguyen Dat, born in 1915, died in 1952.

Carefully flipping through the pages of the collection of relics and mementos of his deceased older brother, martyr Nguyen Dang Ngai of the National Guard, 82-year-old Nguyen Dang Tan from Lam Thuy village, Hai Hung commune, Hai Lang district, was overcome with emotion. He attentively examined the certificates of merit, handwritten notes, and black-and-white portraits, including one of his brother.

Mr. Tan said: “Ngai joined the army at the age of 21 and participated in many battles in Quang Tri . After that, he and his unit went to the North. When he enlisted, I was still young and didn't know much, I only heard stories from my parents and relatives,” Mr. Tan shared.

Since receiving news of Ngai's sacrifice, Mr. Tan's family has been searching for his remains for decades, but to no avail. About 15 years ago, when the family went to Dien Bien cemetery to search, they discovered his name on the plaque commemorating those who sacrificed for the nation. His first name was correct, but his surname and middle name were wrong. The family contacted the authorities to verify and learned that it was indeed their brother.

“My brother’s body and that of his comrades have become one with the soil of Dien Bien Phu, sharing a single grave, so it’s impossible to exhume them and bring them back to our hometown. Since we learned he was buried here, every year during the holidays, our family regularly comes to visit and light incense in his memory,” Mr. Tan said, his eyes reddening. Turning to the last pages, Mr. Tan choked up, squinting at the tiny black-and-white photographs.

Those photos were taken more than half a century ago, and they show soldiers who participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign, including Mr. Tan's older brother. "In the coming days, my son will have these photos restored and enlarged to hang in the house as a memento. The family will also try to ask for more information from contemporaries and acquaintances to accurately identify Mr. Ngai in the photos," Mr. Tan confided.

Although she only received a medal for the Third Class Soldier's Medal of Martyr Nguyen Dat, who died in 1952 and belonged to the 95th Regiment, a memento left behind after the war, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tan (69 years old), from Kim Giao village, Hai Duong commune, Hai Lang district, the martyr's niece, was still extremely happy. On the day she received the memento, the whole family was overwhelmed with joy. However, when she searched for a portrait of her uncle, she couldn't find one, which left her feeling a little disappointed.

“My uncle sacrificed his life 75 years ago. He was unmarried, so we don't have any photos of him. For many years, my family has only had a certificate of recognition from the nation placed on the altar as a memorial picture, which is very touching,” Mrs. Tan shared. Mrs. Tan said that her son is currently taking the relics and mementos to Da Nang to have them laminated, framed, and then brought back to hang in the house. Her uncle's grave is near the house, so every holiday, the whole family visits the grave to light incense for him. This time, she led us to the grave of her fallen uncle, and emotionally lit incense to remember him.

Mrs. Tan said: "My family is very proud of my uncle's sacrifice, which contributed to bringing independence and peace to us today. Although we don't have a photo of him as we wished, the relics and mementos we received are somewhat comforting to our family; they are the spiritual values ​​that help our children and grandchildren be proud of their loved one."

At the same time as the families of Mrs. Tan and Mr. Tan in Hai Lang district, the family of Mr. Vo Tat Rot (65 years old) in Dai Hao village, Trieu Dai commune, Trieu Phong district also received the mementos and relics of martyr Vo Gia, who died in 1950 in the National Guard. Mr. Rot calls martyr Vo Gia his uncle. Looking back at the sharp handwriting of his uncle in the biographical record, Mr. Rot feels very proud and respectful.

Mr. Rot's uncle had participated in many battles in Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces and had studied at several military schools. Mr. Rot said he couldn't hold back his tears when he first received his uncle's mementos and relics. Especially when he personally turned each page of the notebook, his uncle seemed to have foreseen his sacrifice.

“He wrote about his memories of the battles he participated in on the battlefields. His handwriting is very beautiful and sharp,” Mr. Rot shared. Even more joyful is that Mr. Rot's family received a black and white portrait of his uncle, measuring 2x3 cm. “The photo is a precious gift, preserving the image of Uncle Gia. Our family is hiring someone to restore and enlarge the photo so that we can honor him in a more dignified and warm way,” Mr. Rot added, expressing his joy.

Duc Viet

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/di-vat-liet-si-tro-ve-193277.htm