Don't let those who fall remain anonymous forever.

VHO - Among the more than ten thousand graves at Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery, there are still soldiers who have not been able to return home with their names fully recognized.

The collection of remains for DNA testing is offering hope to thousands of families nationwide, while also demonstrating responsibility, compassion, and profound gratitude towards those who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

DNA samples were collected at the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery.

Recovering the names of the deceased

In recent days, at the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, incense sticks have been respectfully offered before working groups begin their task of collecting samples of martyrs' remains for DNA testing. This is not only a professional activity but also a meaningful journey to rediscover the identities of soldiers who perished in the war.

More than half a century has passed since the war ended, but in many families, the longing for news of loved ones has never faded. Some mothers carry the hope of finding their children until the end of their lives. Others, younger siblings and nephews, continue the unfinished search with the few memories passed down through generations.

At the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, there are currently 10,197 graves of martyrs being cared for and honored. Among them, 1,137 graves lack information and 93 graves remain unidentified. After many years, the inscriptions "Unknown Name" on the tombstones remain a source of anguish for the martyrs' relatives and those involved in the work of honoring and honoring them.

Therefore, the deployment of collecting remains of fallen soldiers within the framework of the "500-Day Campaign to Intensify the Search, Collection, and Identification of the Remains of Fallen Soldiers" is not simply the fulfillment of an assigned task. It is also a continuation of the moral principle of "Drinking water, remembering the source," and an effort to ensure that those who have fallen are called by their rightful names. Each sample collected today carries hope. Hope for a day when the families of fallen soldiers will no longer have to silently search among thousands of tombstones. Hope for a belated but complete reunion, when loved ones know exactly where their soldier rests in peace.

Unknown graves will be sampled, their information digitized, and the remains of fallen soldiers identified.

Science connects members

While in the past, identifying fallen soldiers relied primarily on records, witnesses, or surviving artifacts, today, science and technology have opened up new opportunities for cases that were previously thought impossible to identify.

DNA testing is considered a crucial solution for gradually identifying fallen soldiers whose identities are still unknown. Behind each result lies a rigorous process, from sample collection, preservation, data digitization, record comparison, to in-depth laboratory analysis.

At the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, working groups are carrying out all steps according to a strict scientific process. Each grave sample is digitized on-site, with complete data updated on location, tombstone, sample, and related records. The combination of DNA technology and digital transformation is creating a crucial database for future identification of fallen soldiers.

However, the greatest value of science in this case does not lie in the numbers or data. More importantly, science is becoming a bridge between the past and the present, between those who sacrificed their lives and their loved ones who still anxiously await news. Each successful identification of a fallen soldier means another family is relieved of the pain of war. It also completes unfinished chapters of history, contributing to affirming the responsibility of today's generation towards the sacrifices of previous generations.

The war is over, but the gratitude towards those who sacrificed remains ever-present in society. Collecting DNA samples, digitizing information, and identifying the remains of fallen soldiers is not only a professional task but also a deeply humane commitment of the Party, the State, and the people to those who have fallen. More than anyone else, those who sacrificed for the Fatherland deserve to have their names returned. And the Vietnamese people will not allow those who fell to remain forever anonymous in the annals of time.

The process of coordinating the identification of the remains of martyrs whose identities are still unknown using DNA testing.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Head of the National Steering Committee on the Search, Collection, and Identification of Martyrs' Remains, has signed Decision No. 51/QD-BCDQG promulgating the Procedure for Coordinating the Identification of Martyrs' Remains with Incomplete Information Using DNA Testing and Assigning Locations for Receiving and Testing DNA Samples of Martyrs' Remains.

The decision specifies the content of the coordinated process for identifying the remains of martyrs with incomplete information using DNA testing (the process), which includes four steps: Storing and preserving the remains samples before handing them over to the DNA testing unit; DNA testing of the remains samples and samples from the martyrs' relatives; Performing comparison and matching; Announcing the results and identifying the remains of the martyrs... Regarding DNA testing of remains samples and samples from the martyrs' relatives: The unit responsible for testing remains samples is responsible for receiving the remains samples from the local storage and preservation unit, along with complete records and information about the remains; and for planning and organizing the DNA testing of the remains samples. The unit responsible for testing samples from the martyrs' relatives plans and organizes the DNA testing of the relatives according to the guidance of the Ministry of Public Security .

Regarding the notification of results and identification of the remains of fallen soldiers, the Decision stipulates: The Department of Internal Affairs in the locality managing the soldier's grave is responsible, within five working days from the date of receiving the DNA test results notification from the testing unit, for checking and comparing relevant information; and notifying the DNA test results to the Department of Internal Affairs in the locality managing the soldier's original records (in cases where the location managing the soldier's grave and the location managing the soldier's original records are different).

The Department of Internal Affairs, which manages the original records of the martyr, in coordination with the provincial police, will identify the representative of the martyr's family or the person receiving the martyr's worship allowance to verify the information; if a blood relationship is confirmed, the Department of Internal Affairs, which manages the original records of the martyr, will issue a decision to identify the remains of the martyr whose information is incomplete, according to the form prescribed in current law on preferential treatment for people who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution.

Within five working days from the date of receiving the remains of the fallen soldier (if any remain) along with the handover report from the forensic unit, the Department of Internal Affairs in the locality managing the soldier's grave is responsible for organizing the implementation of the following tasks: Returning the excess samples and the examined remains to the correct grave location from which they were taken; re-engraving the information on the soldier's tombstone according to the newly determined identity; issuing a notification of the soldier's grave to the soldier's relatives or those receiving allowances for commemorating the fallen soldier, according to the form prescribed by current law on preferential treatment for those who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution; and immediately updating the information in the database of fallen soldiers .

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/doi-song/khong-de-nguoi-nga-xuong-mai-vo-danh-233725.html