The United States returns four sets of war relics to Vietnam

The relics include personal diaries, letters, identity cards, and notebooks seized during the war.

Donating 4 war relics to the Vietnam Women's Museum

Message of peace in the war memorial garden

The event was organized by the US Mission in Vietnam in coordination with the Vietnam National Steering Committee 515 and the US Department of Defense on May 24 at the American Center in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).

Lieutenant General James Jarrard, Deputy Commander of the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), and US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns presided over the ceremony.

Four sets of wartime relics returned to Vietnam by the United States. (Photo: Khanh Nguyen)

The artifacts were returned thanks to a research team from Harvard University under the Undiscovered War Legacy Project, a project under the Vietnam Missing in Action Initiative (VWAI) funded by the US Department of Defense.

Mr. Tran Van Ban (middle) receives souvenirs from his comrades from US Lieutenant General James Jarrard (far left). (Photo: US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City)

Dr. Tran Van Ban represented the reception of two sets of war relics for veterans who fought in the Cu Chi tunnels. The remaining two sets were given directly to the families and comrades of martyrs Lam Van Phan and Nguyen Minh Tam (also known as Nguyen Van Khon).

Speaking at the event, Lieutenant General James Jarrard, who commanded the 25th Infantry Division, a unit that fought in Cu Chi more than 50 years ago and was present today to return war relics to the soldiers who fought in Cu Chi, said: “The ceremony to return war relics has a special meaning to me. I think what is happening reflects the progress in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United States that has been achieved within a generation. Before, we stood on opposite sides of the battle line and now we are friends. I look forward to and am ready to cooperate with the Vietnamese side to build a lasting friendship.”

Comrades and families of martyrs attend the ceremony to return the relics. (Photo: US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City)

This is the first time a war relic return event has been held in Ho Chi Minh City. Previously, on May 10, the US Embassy in Hanoi also returned 11 sets of relics to veterans and relatives of Vietnamese martyrs in Hanoi.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hoa-ky-trao-tra-4-bo-ky-vat-chien-tranh-cho-viet-nam-200300.html