Quang Tri and Savannakhet collaborate on searching soldiers’ remains

The military commands of Quang Tri Province, in central Vietnam, and its neighboring Lao province of Savannakhet strengthened their cooperative efforts during a two-day meeting on October 8 and 9. This annual event focused on searching for, recovering, and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese soldiers in preparation for the 2024-2025 dry season.

The Special Task Boards of Quang Tri Province and Savannakhet Province signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing on a plan to search for and recover the remains of fallen soldiers during the 2024-2025 dry season.

During the talks, both sides reviewed the results of their efforts for the 2023-2024 dry season. With support from Savannakhet’s Special Task Board and close collaboration with local authorities, armed forces, and ethnic Lao communities, Team 584 of Quang Tri’s Military Command successfully found the remains of 12 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who perished in Savannakhet Province.

This year, Quang Tri’s Military Command, along with its Savannakhet counterpart, held an inauguration ceremony for the Martyrs' Memorial and Team 584’s barracks (Phase 1) in Ban Tho, Phalanxay District.

At the meeting, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding to continue their efforts in searching for and identifying soldiers’ remains during the upcoming 2024-2025 phase. Key focus areas include enhancing coordination in the search, recovery, and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese soldiers, in alignment with the agreements of both governments, ensuring practical, effective, and safe operations.

As planned, in mid-October 2024, Team 584 will begin searching for the remains of Vietnamese soldiers who died in Laos, particularly in the districts of Atsaphone, Phalanxay, Atsaphangthong, Sepon, Nong, and Phin.

On this occasion, Quang Tri’s Military Command awarded certificates of merit from the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and commendations to individuals from Savannakhet Province for their significant contributions to these efforts during the 2023-2024 season.

Kim Quy - Xuan Dien - Lien Ha