Comradeship

Each time the fallen soldiers are brought back to their hometowns, each time the members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Association for Supporting Families of Fallen Soldiers are met with emotion. On the journey of searching for and restoring the names of fallen comrades, and assisting the families of fallen soldiers... although there are still many difficulties and hardships, the Association's activities have, to some extent, helped to bring peace of mind to the families of fallen soldiers, alleviate their pain, and compensate for the losses and suffering left behind by the war.

Having endured protracted and arduous wars, Phu Tho province has the highest number of martyrs among the provinces in Military Region 2, with nearly 18,000 martyrs. Acting as a bridge between the families of martyrs and various levels of government, agencies, and organizations, over the past 10 years since its establishment, the Association has directly visited over 800 cemeteries nationwide to collect, share, and connect information in the search for the remains of martyrs, helping more than 7,500 families obtain information about their graves, places of sacrifice, circumstances of death, and burial sites. It has also assisted in DNA testing for 220 cases, with 54 cases yielding accurate results, and supported the repatriation of over 200 remains of martyrs to their hometowns.

The Standing Committee of the Association is tasked with researching and verifying the graves of fallen soldiers where information is incomplete or inaccurate.

Recognizing that searching for information about fallen soldiers and their graves is a key task, the Provincial Association for Supporting Families of Fallen Soldiers has proactively conducted diverse information gathering methods over the years through organizations, relatives of fallen soldiers, and various levels of the Veterans Association. In addition, with the assistance of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Association has been provided with the provincial register of fallen soldiers, serving as a basis for searching information upon receipt.

Colonel Pham Quyet Chien, Chairman of the Provincial Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs, stated: Since the beginning of the year, the Association has advised and assisted families in relocating the remains of 36 martyrs back to their hometowns and attended reception, memorial, and burial ceremonies; corrected information on gravestones and records for 31 cases; and provided support for the construction of 3 houses of gratitude, totaling 680 million VND. In the future, the Provincial Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs will continue to operate according to its principles and objectives, serving as a reliable support and bridge between families of martyrs and relevant agencies, practically contributing to the work of "Paying gratitude and repaying kindness."

In addition to providing direct consultation and support at its headquarters, the Association has also regularly provided support and advice to families of martyrs via social media and telephone on topics such as: searching for information about martyrs, confirming information about the place where martyrs died, correcting information about martyrs, printing copies of death certificates, reissuing Certificates of Recognition from the Fatherland, DNA testing procedures, visiting and relocating the remains of martyrs, etc.

The Provincial Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs brought martyr Dinh Cong Tri, from Thach Khoan commune, Thanh Son district, back to his hometown cemetery for burial.

At the same time, the Association has actively implemented activities to express gratitude and repay the debt of gratitude to the families of martyrs by coordinating with departments, organizations, businesses, and philanthropists to visit, give gifts, implement preferential policies for those who have contributed to the revolution, support the construction of charitable houses, and give gifts and savings accounts to the families of martyrs. Witnessing the relatives of martyrs living in new homes and having spacious places of worship for their loved ones, all members of the Association feel heartwarming.

In a conversation with us, Colonel Pham Quyet Chien, now over 70 years old, expressed his concern: "Having directly accompanied the families of fallen soldiers in their search for their loved ones, witnessing elderly mothers with bent backs, faces touching their knees, needing assistance to walk, and weeping uncontrollably beside the remains of their children on the day they are brought back to their hometown for burial, we are even more determined to do everything we can to ensure our comrades rest in peace."

With its motto of charitable work, dedication, and compassion, the Provincial Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs has become a common home for the relatives of martyrs, serving as a bridge for families to entrust their faith and hope in the journey of searching for their loved ones.

Vy An

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nghia-tinh-dong-doi-219449.htm