Two decades of the journey of gratitude 'when drinking water, remember its source'

Throughout the journey of more than two decades (from 2000 to present), Team K92 and K93 (An Giang Provincial Military Command) have been tirelessly trekking through forests, crossing streams, and going to every hamlet and village in Cambodia to search for, collect and repatriate the remains of 4,286 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died for peace, national independence and international solidarity.

Officers and soldiers of Team K93 bring the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who died during wars in Cambodia and in the country to be reburied at Doc Ba Dac Martyrs Cemetery, Thoi Son Commune, Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province. Photo: VNA

This is a particularly important task, implemented under the direction of the Government Task Force of Vietnam - Cambodia, based on the Agreement signed between the Government of Vietnam and the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia on August 28, 2000 in Phnom Penh on the Border Regulations between the two countries. The collection of martyrs' remains is within the framework of official cooperation, demonstrating the responsibility and respect of both countries for the priceless sacrifices of the past.

Not only is it a journey to demonstrate the morality of “When drinking water, remember its source”, the search and collection work is also a vivid symbol, contributing to strengthening the solidarity and friendship between the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. It is also a way for today’s generation to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs - those who heroically sacrificed for the ideals of independence, freedom and noble international sentiment.

Thousands of martyrs’ remains were found in the six provinces of Koh Kong, Kampong Speu, Preah Sihanouk, Takeo, Kampot and Kep of Cambodia. In each area, officers and soldiers of the K92 and K93 teams always received sincere support from the government, armed forces and people, helping the search work to be effective, demonstrating humanity, comradeship and team spirit across borders.

Vice Chairman of the An Giang Provincial People's Committee Le Trung Ho, Head of the An Giang Provincial Specialized Committee, shared that the work of searching for and collecting the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Cambodia demonstrates the fine tradition of humanity of the Vietnamese people. This is a practical act of gratitude to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on the land of Cambodia for their noble international duty. Bringing the remains of martyrs back to their homeland, meeting the wishes of the people and relatives of the martyrs, helps to ease the pain of irreparable loss. Through this, the message of responsibility to care for those who sacrificed for national independence continues to be strongly spread, demonstrating the humane identity of both nations. The work of searching and collecting also contributes to educating the younger generation about patriotism, noble sacrifice and the task of preserving peace today. This activity is also a vivid symbol of humane diplomacy, contributing to further tightening the friendship and sustainable peace between the two countries; strengthening the special international solidarity between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hung, Captain of Team K92, shared that over the years, under the direction of the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Command of An Giang province, Team K92 has strived to overcome all difficulties, closely coordinated with the authorities and people of the provinces of the Kingdom of Cambodia to search for and collect martyrs' remains; contributing to fulfilling the responsibilities of the Party, State, Army and people of Vietnam towards those who sacrificed for the noble international duty. During the course of their duties, Team K92 has always received wholehearted support from the authorities, armed forces, the Task Force and the people in providing information, guiding and protecting the search force. However, currently, due to the changing terrain and topography, there are still many martyrs' remains that have not been found. The unit will continue to strive and overcome all obstacles to complete its mission.

The An Giang Provincial Task Force and the Provincial Task Force of the Kingdom of Cambodia will continue to coordinate to organize support activities for Team K92 and Team K93 during the 2025-2026 dry season so that the search and collection work will be more effective in the coming time.

The journey of searching, gathering and repatriating the remains of martyrs of Team K92 and K93 in foreign lands continues. These are quiet but meaningful efforts that continue to write the story of gratitude and humanity. The soldiers of the two teams vow to follow in the footsteps of their fathers and brothers, persistently carrying out their sacred mission, so that each heroic martyr can return to rest in the bosom of their motherland.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/hai-thap-ky-thuc-hien-hanh-trinh-tri-an-uong-nuoc-nho-nguon-20251124103336680.htm