On October 3rd, the No. 1 Search and Collection Team for the remains of fallen soldiers, Political Department, Quang Tri Provincial Military Command, announced that they had discovered, exhumed, and collected the remains of three fallen soldiers in the melaleuca forest area of Bai Dinh village, Dan Hoa commune.
Previously, based on information gathered and verified in the area, the unit organized a survey and launched a search in the Bai Dinh mangrove forest area, where there was information suggesting the possibility of still containing the remains of fallen soldiers.
The search process faced numerous difficulties due to the hot weather, complex terrain, multiple layers of soil and rocks, and a tangled network of melaleuca tree roots. However, the officers and soldiers persevered, staying in the area, carefully digging and separating each layer of soil, while expanding the search area to uncover all the remains and related artifacts.
During the search, the unit discovered the remains of three fallen soldiers at a depth of 1.2 - 1.4 meters.
The first set of remains was discovered and collected on September 30th. The remains included 27 teeth, along with several fragments of arm, thigh, and tibia bones, as well as many other decayed and broken bone fragments. Artifacts found included a soldier's belt, four clothing buttons, and fourteen coffin nails.
On October 1st, the search team continued to discover and collect a second set of remains. The remaining bones included several fragments of arm and leg bones, as well as fragments of thigh bones. Accompanying artifacts included eight buttons from a soldier's uniform and 25 nails used for assembling a coffin.
Also on October 1st, the unit discovered and collected the third set of remains. The remains included a molar tooth and a 10cm long section of arm bone, broken into several pieces. Many other bone fragments had decomposed and were mixed in with the black soil inside the canvas sheet. Artifacts discovered included four military uniform buttons, 20 coffin nails, and an intact canvas sheet.
Due to the long burial period, the remains are no longer intact. However, the remaining bones and artifacts discovered are important for reviewing, verifying information, and identifying the fallen soldiers. Biological sample collection and DNA testing will be carried out according to regulations when conditions permit.
After the exhumation, the remains of the three martyrs, along with related artifacts, were brought to the mortuary for preservation, care, and solemn worship in accordance with regulations.
The discovery of three more remains of fallen soldiers at Bai Dinh is the result of a persistent and careful search process, and also contributes to achieving the goal of collecting 430 remains of fallen soldiers in Quang Tri province during the "500-day campaign to intensify the search, collection, and identification of the remains of fallen soldiers" implemented by the Provincial Military Command.
In the coming period, Team No. 1 for Searching and Collecting the Remains of Fallen Soldiers hopes that localities, units, and the people will continue to provide information about fallen soldiers and their graves; and cooperate in reviewing and verifying areas with clues to organize surveys, searches, and collection efforts.
With the spirit of "As long as there is information, we will continue searching; as long as there are clues, we will keep going," the officers and soldiers of the No. 1 Search and Collection Team for the remains of fallen soldiers continue their search, hoping to bring the fallen soldiers back to their comrades, hometowns, and families.
Since the beginning of September, authorities have found 13 remains of fallen soldiers in the Bai Dinh melaleuca forest area, Dan Hoa commune, Quang Tri province.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/tim-thay-3-hai-cot-liet-si-cung-nhieu-di-vat-giua-rung-tram-vung-bien-quang-tri.html
