In early july, officers from the Dong Nai Military Command began collecting DNA samples at Trang Bom Martyrs' Cemetery, hoping to identify martyrs buried in anonymous graves.

Trang Bom Cemetery currently holds nearly 1,300 martyrs' graves, with 528 remaining unidentified. According to the Dong Nai Military Command, biological sampling will continue until 10/7, as part of the "500 days and nights of searching, gathering, and identifying martyrs' remains" campaign, leading up to the 80th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day.

During the excavation of an unidentified grave on 30/6, authorities discovered many personal artifacts buried with the martyr. Notably, a photo album containing several recognizable images offers new hope for identifying the fallen soldier.

A portrait from the album is believed to be the martyr in military uniform.

{"caption_all":"The album found in the grave contained many photos of young women. Some pictures have faded over time, making the scenes unclear.","caption_items":"["",""]"}

A canteen engraved with the words "Duong + Viet" was recovered from one of the graves. Lieutenant Colonel Vu Duy Quyen, from the Trang Bom Ward Military Command, expressed hope that these artifacts will help relatives and comrades recognize the martyr, thereby aiding in identification.

A pen, engraved with the image of One Pillar Pagoda and the inscription "spring 1974 souvenir", was found in another unidentified grave.

The sampling process was conducted with solemnity, from cutting the stone surface and removing the coffin from the grave to transporting it to the designated sampling area.

{"caption_all":"Staff from Trang Bom Ward Medical Station marked symbols and collected biological samples from the martyr's coffin according to established procedures, before sending them for DNA testing.","caption_items":"["",""]"}

The entire Dong Nai province has 12 martyrs' cemeteries with 23,190 graves. A review indicated that 7,785 graves lack sufficient information for DNA identification.

Adjacent to Trang Bom Martyrs' Cemetery stands a martyrs' temple, where relatives and local residents come to offer incense and pay tribute.

Phuoc Tuan