Found the place where the father died after 60 years

Thanks to the connection and verification of information with a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm of the Con Co Border Guard Station, the martyr's relatives found the place where their father's name was registered after 60 years. In particular, in the difficult circumstances of the martyr's relatives, on July 25, the station helped cover all the expenses for travel, accommodation, living expenses and sent officers to directly take the son and his family to Con Co Island to burn incense at the grave of the martyr's father.

Mr. Tran Du Khoa found the name of his martyred father on the memorial plaque for fallen soldiers on Con Co Island, who sacrificed their lives while carrying out a supply mission to Con Co Island years ago - Photo: D.V.

Con Co Island – a frontier island of the Fatherland, where countless glorious victories and the blood and sacrifices of generations of ancestors who fell for the independence and freedom of the nation are imprinted. The battle to defend Con Co Island in the years 1964-1972 is an immortal epic; many officers, soldiers, and volunteer youth bravely sacrificed their lives while carrying out combat duties, transporting goods, and supplying food and ammunition to the island.

The Con Co Island Martyrs' Memorial commemorates 104 fallen heroes. On either side are two artistic bas-reliefs depicting a part of the battles fought to defend and supply Con Co Island in the past. During these battles, 104 soldiers, militiamen, and civilians sacrificed their lives for the survival of the small island. The majority of their bodies and blood lie at sea, merging with the ocean's depths.

Due to difficult travel conditions between the island and the mainland, some relatives of fallen soldiers have yet to find the place where their loved ones' names are recorded. With deep gratitude and in accordance with the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," officers and soldiers of the Con Co Border Guard Post have actively coordinated with local Party committees, authorities, and relevant departments to search for the list of heroic martyrs who died on the island but whose families and relatives are unaware, in order to find clues, identify, and connect with the families and relatives of these martyrs.

Mr. Tran Du Khoe, along with officers and soldiers of the Con Co Border Guard Station, offered incense at the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs of the island - Photo: D.V.

In early July 2025, the Con Co Border Guard Post organized a "Gratitude and Remembrance" activity in Dong Luat village, Vinh Hoang commune (visiting families of policy beneficiaries sponsored by the unit). Through discussions, it was learned that in the village, Mr. Tran Du Khoi, born in 1963, had a father named Tran Mo who died while transporting supplies to Con Co Island. His remains have not yet been found, and the location of his grave is unknown. Comparing this with the list inscribed on the memorial plaque for the heroes and martyrs of Con Co Island, the name of martyr Tran Mo, who died on May 29, 1965, is present.

Subsequently, the Con Co Border Guard Station sent officers to Mr. Tran Du Khoi's house to meet, exchange information, verify, and cross-reference details. Mr. Khoi confirmed that the fallen soldier Tran Mo, who died on May 29, 1965, was indeed his father, who sacrificed his life while transporting supplies to Con Co Island, a family they had been searching for for over 60 years. Mr. Khoi expressed his wish to visit the island to light incense in remembrance of his father, but due to difficult family circumstances, he is currently unable to do so.

At Mr. Khoẻ's request, the Con Co Border Guard Station covered all travel, accommodation, and living expenses, and assigned officers to personally escort Mr. Khoẻ and his family to Con Co Island to visit the Con Co Island Martyrs' Memorial to light incense at the grave of martyr Tran Mo on July 25th.

After lighting incense to pay respects to his fallen father, Mr. Khoẻ emotionally expressed: “My family has searched in many places for many years but still couldn't find my father's grave. Thanks to the enthusiastic help of the officers and soldiers of the Cồn Cỏ Border Guard Post, my family has now found his burial place and recorded his name. My family will never forget the noble gesture of the border guards.”

Lieutenant Colonel Le Quoc Hoc, Commander of Con Co Border Guard Station, said: “This is a responsibility and also a heartfelt sentiment that every border guard always cherishes. The sacrifice of the martyrs is sacred and immortal. With a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm, Con Co Border Guard Station has been playing a pioneering role in connecting the relatives of martyrs with one of the island's eternal landmarks - the Con Co Island Martyrs' Memorial, which commemorates 104 martyrs. This is not only an act of service to the people but also a profound expression of gratitude for the noble sacrifices of our ancestors.”

Connecting with and locating the relatives of the aforementioned fallen soldier is also a testament to the spirit of "gratitude and repayment," affirming the close relationship between border guards and the people in the border regions of the Fatherland. It is also a vivid manifestation of the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers in peacetime: dedication, compassion, and service to the people.

Duc Viet

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/tim-duoc-noi-nguoi-cha-hy-sinh-sau-60-nam-196331.htm