The woman with gray hair and a hunched back after 55 years away from her beloved younger brother was so moved that she could only utter two words, "My dear, my dear" when receiving the keepsake. Below, there were only sobs and silent wiping of tears.
US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (center) listens to the family of martyr Vu Duy Hung at the ceremony to return the relics - Photo: DUY LINH
Dozens of items, including personal diaries, letters, identification papers, notebooks, certificates/diplomas, and even death notices of more than 10 Vietnamese veterans and martyrs were returned to them or their families at a ceremony held by the US Embassy on May 10 in Hanoi.
Some people have traveled long distances to see with their own eyes and touch things that belonged to their grandfathers, fathers, or brothers.
Waiting for brother to return for 55 years
The moment Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung (Hoang Hop commune, Hoang Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province) received back the diary, along with the commendation decisions, certificates and degrees of her younger brother Nguyen Phong Ba, deeply moved those who witnessed it.
The moment the old woman with a hunchback touched the relic of her martyr brother
Being old and weak and having to travel hundreds of kilometers to Hanoi, she had to be helped up. But when her hand touched the keepsake of her beloved younger brother, strength suddenly burst forth from that small woman.
The entire room of more than 100 people was filled with only the sobbing sounds of the people below and Mrs. Nhung's call "My dear, my dear... My dear, come back to me, my dear".
US Ambassador Marc Knapper nodded slightly, his eyes filled with sadness as if in sympathy as he witnessed the incident right before his eyes.
Looking back through her memories, Mrs. Nhung still clearly remembers every detail about her brother: volunteering to join the army in April 1962, sacrificing his life in 1969, achieving many feats and receiving awards.
But what she and her family have not been able to remember for the past 55 years is where Nguyen Phong Ba died, and where his remains are located in a cemetery or on a piece of land.
The B2 battlefield was vast, she only knew that her younger brother had gone to the South to fight.
After joining the army, Mr. Nguyen Phong Ba often sent letters home to his family. Then one day, the letters from the battlefield no longer reached his parents and siblings.
For the past two or three weeks, Mrs. Nhung has been unable to sleep because she is excited and looking forward to the day she goes to Hanoi.
"Receiving my brother's keepsake, my family was extremely happy, but mixed with that was a great sadness because we have not been able to see his face or his remains," Ms. Nhung told reporters in a broken voice, quickly wiping away the tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks.
"Today I am satisfied when I see what my brother left behind. Tomorrow I will be at peace even if I die. But my family and I still have the greatest wish to find my brother's remains," Ms. Nhung confided.
Letter from the US President to Vietnam Veterans
Veteran Nguyen Van Thien receives a letter from US President Joe Biden - Photo: DUY LINH
Also at the ceremony, a framed letter signed by US President Joe Biden was personally handed to veteran Nguyen Van Thien by US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper.
Mr. Thien was one of the main characters in the ceremony where the US returned war relics last September in Hanoi, during President Biden's state visit.
Biden, who is only a few years older than Thien, stared at the Vietnam veteran as Thien took the diary after nearly 60 years of being lost and thought it would never be found.
President Biden’s letter is dated November 22, 2023, meaning it was drafted just over two months after his visit to Vietnam and meeting with Mr. Thien. A lot happened in those two months — as Mr. Biden’s letter reveals.
Dear Mr. Nguyen Van Thien,
I was delighted to meet you during your visit to Vietnam. The exchange of memorabilia was very touching and I am glad that you were able to meet your diary. I was also touched by your thank you letter, telling me how much the diary meant to you and your family.
It is an honor to visit Vietnam, I can feel the warmth from the limitless potentials awaiting our country and people.
We have come a long way and I know we will go further together.
Best regards,
Sign
Joe Biden"
Bowing to the veteran from Thai Binh, US Ambassador Marc Knapper handed the letter to Mr. Thien with both hands after asking for permission for him and his family to read the content.
Moved by receiving the mementos, many relatives of the families of the deceased veterans and Vietnamese martyrs opened them to read right at the ceremony. At that moment, it seemed like there were only them and their deceased relatives - Photo: DUY LINH
Educational souvenir for future generations the value of peace
Sharing his feelings when holding President Biden's letter in his hand, Mr. Thien confided that he felt honored and thanked the authorities in Vietnam as well as the US for helping him get back the lost diary.
Knowing that the war was long and arduous, after being enlisted with letters written in blood, Mr. Thien used his diary to record the fierce days of the war.
The diary, with no name, hometown or unit, was lost during the US sweep of Junction City in 1967. But as if by magic and with the efforts of both sides, the diary was found and the owner was identified as Mr. Thien.
Mr. Thien hopes that the lines in the diary will help educate his children and future generations to understand the value of the existing peace, and the sacrifices and losses of their ancestors to maintain the independence and unity of the country.
Mr. Thien was one of two veterans who attended the ceremony and were able to reunite with personal belongings lost while still alive.
Another veteran is Mr. Phan Xuan Dieu and like Mr. Thien, he received back his diary lost during the bombing.
"Through this ceremony, I hope that our two countries and two peoples can truly close the past and move towards a better future," Mr. Dieu expressed.
Families of Vietnamese veterans and martyrs at the relic presentation ceremony - Photo: DUY LINH
Tuoitre.vn
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cac-ky-vat-tu-nuoc-my-ngay-ve-viet-nam-dam-nuoc-mat-20240510174434174.htm
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