Pham Ngoc Luu, chairman of the People’s Committee of Nghia Hung Commune in Nghe An Province, said on May 28 that local authorities and the soldier’s family had held a solemn memorial and burial ceremony for Truong Van Ky, more than 50 years after his death in the war.
Residents hold flags as they wait to receive the remains of martyr Truong Van Ky in Nghe An Province on May 28 (Photo: Hoang Hang).
Born in 1950, Ky enlisted in the army in 1971 and was deployed to the Central Highlands battlefield during the war against the United States.
He was killed on May 15, 1972, during a fierce battle at the age of 22, before he had the chance to start a family. His remains had been buried at Sa Thay Martyrs Cemetery in Quang Ngai Province. Following his family’s wishes, his remains were recently exhumed and returned to his hometown for reburial.
“Early on May 28, the remains of martyr Truong Van Ky were brought back home. A large number of local officials and residents carrying national flags stood along both sides of the road from the headquarters of the Nghia Hung Commune People’s Committee to welcome him,” Luu said.
“The procession then accompanied the vehicle carrying Ky’s remains for nearly 5km to his family home,” he added.
After an official memorial service on May 28, Ky’s remains were laid to rest in his hometown, 54 years after his death.
After 54 years since his death on the Tay Nguyen battlefield, martyr Truong Van Ky has returned to rest in his native soil (Photo: Hoang Hang).
Images of the long “road of flags”, symbolising gratitude from younger generations, were captured by Dang Giang Nam, a neighbour of Ky’s family, and shared on social media, where they drew widespread attention and emotional responses.
According to Nam, many residents had gathered long before the procession arrived.
“Although the weather was already extremely hot early in the morning, hundreds of people still stood under the blazing sun to welcome Truong Van Ky and accompany him on his final journey home,” Nam said.