"The Buddhist army" in the hearts of the people.
Decades have passed since the Vietnamese volunteer army helped the Cambodian people escape the Pol Pot genocide, but the image of the "Buddhist soldiers" (one of the special honors the Cambodian people bestow upon the Vietnamese volunteer army) has never faded from the hearts of the Cambodian government and people. Today, that image is revived through the heartfelt dedication of the officers and soldiers of Team K91.
The officers and soldiers of Team K91 not only carry out the sacred task of searching for and collecting the remains of martyrs who sacrificed their lives during various periods of war in Cambodia, but have also become close sons and brothers of the forces and people here.
In remote villages and hamlets, the image of soldiers in green uniforms with muddy hands, outside of surveying, gathering information, and excavating to find fallen soldiers, is common. The entire team works with the villagers to repair houses and fill in potholes on village roads.
The members also cleared land or worked together to build shelters for the encampment, and their dedication to providing free medical examinations and medicine to the people in the area where they were stationed and in each excavation site became commonplace.
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| The remains of a fallen soldier were found in Kanh Chrich district. |
Mrs. Hien Kim, 72 years old, residing in Prey Veng province, Cambodia, emotionally stated: “In the past, Vietnamese soldiers saved us from death. Now, seeing the young soldiers of Team K91 working hard digging under the sun to find the remains of our comrades, I feel so much compassion. They also examined me and others in this area. I am very grateful to the Vietnamese soldiers.”
Amidst the cold mountains and forests of the borderlands or under the harsh sun of the dry season, sharing every bowl of rice, every piece of dried food, or every pill has fostered a special bond, a bond built on gratitude and unwavering friendship.
The joint efforts of comrades
The task of searching for the remains of fallen soldiers is a challenging journey as the terrain changes and information gradually fades. Furthermore, fewer and fewer people know about the graves of fallen soldiers, or the information provided by their relatives consists of extracts or death certificates, which often lack specific details or the original burial place.
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| Let's repair the roads and our homes together. |
However, Team K91 was never alone; alongside them was the unwavering support from the Party committee, the government, the armed forces, and especially the kind-hearted people of Cambodia.
The authorities in the neighboring country not only provided valuable information about the graves but also directly worked alongside Team K91, trekking through forests and streams, searching, surveying every piece of information, and meeting with every witness…
Major General Bum Be, Deputy Commander of the Prey Veng Military Sub-district, stated: "The task of excavating and searching for the remains of fallen soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army has faced many difficulties over time, especially regarding outdated and lost information, and the terrain has also changed significantly."
“The sacrifices of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers are invaluable and irreplaceable. We consider this a humanitarian mission and an act of gratitude, so we wholeheartedly assist and create the best possible conditions for the K91 team to find the remains of the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army and bring them back to their homeland. This is our responsibility and moral obligation. These search and rescue missions are also the most valuable historical lessons for young Cambodian soldiers about the solidarity between the two nations,” Major General Bum Be shared.
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| The people and forces of the neighboring country are assisting in the search for information about the graves of fallen soldiers. |
Working together, pitching in to build roofs, repairing living quarters, and visiting each other during the traditional Lunar New Year of the two nations are no longer just administrative formalities, but opportunities for soldiers from both countries to strengthen their solidarity and affirm their enduring and close friendship.
Lieutenant Colonel Chieng Pho La, Commander of the Kanh Chrich Military District, said: “Whenever Team K91 comes to the area, we don't see them as strangers, but as brothers. The local authorities here always create the best conditions, from accommodation to finding people who know the burial places of Vietnamese martyrs. We try our best to help as a way to thank those who shed their blood for the peace of our country today. We are very grateful to Team K91 for helping our unit repair the barracks and providing livestock for our farming.”
I appreciate the value of peace even more.
According to Team K91, from 2001 to the present, 1,996 sets of remains of fallen soldiers have been found and brought back to their homeland, Vietnam. Each set of remains that Team K91 has searched for and collected has contributed to alleviating the pain of the fallen soldiers' families, and is also a testament to the glorious history and strong friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.
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| Locals and Team K91 climbed the mountain pass to search for the resting place of the fallen soldier. |
The activities of Team K91 today serve as a bridge between the past and the future. Through this, the younger generations of both countries gain a deeper understanding of the value of peace and the noble sacrifices of their forefathers. The warm affection that the Cambodian people have for Team K91 is a testament to the enduring vitality of the friendship between the two nations.
Lieutenant Colonel Vo Thanh Dan, Team Leader of Team K91, shared: "We always emphasize to our officers and soldiers that the task of searching for and collecting the remains of fallen soldiers is not only an order from above, but also an order from the heart. Wherever we go, we treat the people of the neighboring country as our own family. At each place where we conduct excavations, we organize medical examinations and provide medicine to the people, cooperate with their forces to repair village roads, repair houses for the people, renovate the living quarters of their unit, and provide livestock and crops."
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Comrade Vo Thanh Dan affirmed that it was this genuine affection that "opened the doors" of the people's hearts. There were elderly people, nearly 80 years old, who volunteered to walk through the forest just to guide the team to the location where the soldiers lay. Without the protection of the people and the close support of the Cambodian armed forces, the team would hardly have been able to complete this sacred mission. Each set of remains found represents a soldier returning home, but more profoundly, it is the return of faith, morality, and responsibility to history.
According to Nhan Dan newspaper
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202605/nghia-tinh-noi-dat-ban-campuchia-ec8787f/
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