The job cannot be done twice.
Under the scorching sun, officers and soldiers of the Provincial Military Command are diligently inspecting each unidentified grave of fallen soldiers at the Duc Linh Commune Martyrs' Cemetery. Among the 298 heroic martyrs resting here, 55 graves remain unmarked. Each unengraved tombstone represents a cherished hope for the families and a source of concern for society as a whole.
Colonel Nguyen Thanh Quang - Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, Deputy Head of the Provincial Steering Committee 515, shared: “We are intimately familiar with the parameters of the 11 martyrs' cemeteries. The survey must be conducted meticulously to ensure absolutely no errors occur. The officers assigned the responsibility of collecting samples were also carefully selected by the Steering Committee 515 in general and the Provincial Military Command in particular. 4,845 DNA samples is the number that the Steering Committee 515 aims to collect from the 11 martyrs' cemeteries throughout the province by November 15, 2026.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Truong Giang - Head of the Policy Department of the Provincial Military Command emphasized: “We consider this a sacred task, a mission that does not allow for mistakes because there will be no second chance to do it. Therefore, each stage is carried out with the utmost care. All data is digitized in a closed process for each grave, strictly adhering to the principle of "One remains, at one time," ensuring absolutely no mistakes occur.”
Not only is the sample collection process rigorous, but the subsequent stages also demand meticulous attention to detail. From constructing temporary sample storage rooms that maintain the required temperature and humidity to preservation and transportation, everything is strictly controlled. “Biological samples are stored for no more than 7 days and must be transferred to the DNA Testing Center of the Ministry of National Defense within no more than 72 hours,” Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Truong Giang stated.
Behind every collected biological sample lies the dedication, responsibility, and profound gratitude of the officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces. They cherish each sample as a clue to memory, carefully holding onto every fragile opportunity to reconnect those families separated by war for decades. Every careful action today carries the hope of restoring the names of those who have fallen and bringing them back into the embrace of their families.
Awakening dormant identities
Currently, collecting samples from the remains of fallen soldiers is difficult because the cemeteries have been upgraded many times, the tomb structures are relatively complex and solidly built. In particular, many remains have decomposed significantly, and the bone structure is no longer intact, making it very difficult to distinguish between bones, teeth, and foreign objects. This is considered the biggest challenge in collecting DNA samples from the remains of fallen soldiers.
Directly involved in this task, Dr. Phan Gia Hoi - Deputy Director of the Provincial Forensic Center - guided the professional team to carefully consider and select the most reliable samples in each case. In addition, the current harsh and unpredictable weather conditions also significantly affected the task... All difficulties were thoroughly assessed. Based on this, the Provincial Steering Committee 515 developed specific solutions to overcome them.
Comrade Dinh Van Tuan - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee 515, emphasized: “Units and localities must ensure the best possible facilities, organize appropriate forces, and clearly and specifically assign tasks to each department and individual, ensuring the "six clears" (clear person, clear task, clear product, clear responsibility, clear time, clear authority). In particular, assigning comrades to command each department who are familiar with the procedures and tasks will ensure unified command and control, preventing any errors.”
Directly participating in the survey to collect DNA samples from the remains of fallen soldiers at the Bao Loc Martyrs' Cemetery, Lieutenant Colonel Bien Duc Long - Commander of the Military Command of Ward 3, Bao Loc - harbored many personal emotions. Behind that military uniform lies the story of a son whose father was a fallen soldier whose remains have yet to be found. In his journey to find his father, he understands the anguish of the fallen soldier's family. The search can only rely on vague information and fragmented memories. That journey is becoming increasingly difficult. Therefore, now, as he and his comrades carry out the "500-day and night" campaign, it is both a source of pride and deep emotion for him.
Although the road ahead remains fraught with difficulties and no one can predict the final outcome, the "500 Days and Nights" campaign, implemented with the participation of the entire society, has ignited hope in the hearts of countless families of fallen soldiers. It hopes that those who have fallen will be found, called by their rightful names, and brought home. This hope has become a pillar of support for mothers, wives, and children whose tears have dried up after more than half a century of waiting, as they continue to yearn. For them, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, the journey of waiting for their loved ones to return has never ended.
The establishment of a gene bank using DNA samples from the relatives of fallen soldiers and the collection of DNA samples from the remains of unidentified soldiers are two crucial pieces in the journey to restore the names of those who sacrificed for the country. Even among millions of stored DNA data, matching samples isn't always possible. But each DNA sample added today represents another opportunity. This humane journey helps those who have fallen to be recognized by name, allowing their relatives, after more than half a century of waiting, to finally end their long years of suffering with comfort and peace.
(To be continued)
Lieutenant Colonel Bien Duc Long, Commander of the Military Command of Ward 3, Bao Loc, harbors many personal emotions. Behind that military uniform lies the story of a son whose father was a fallen soldier whose remains have yet to be found. In his journey to find his father, he understands the profound anguish of the families of fallen soldiers.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/ky-2-tong-luc-vao-chien-dich-448683.html
