Chi tiết tin - Sở Ngoại vụ

Attending the ceremony, on the Vietnamese side, were Mr. Le Chi Dung, Director General of the Americas Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Le Cong Tien, Director of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP); and Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang, Deputy Director of the Quang Tri Department of Foreign Affairs. Also in attendance were current and former leaders, officials, and staff of VNOSMP, along with representatives of Vietnam Helicopter Corporation, Northern Vietnam Helicopters, and leaders of the Bac Trach Commune People’s Committee.

On the U.S. side, participants included Mr. Christopher Phelps, DPAA Director the Indo-Pacific Directorate; Mr. John W. McIntyre, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam; leadership and staff from the U.S. MIA Office in Hanoi (DET2); a delegation of staff members from the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services; and representatives of U.S. veterans.

The ceremony was particularly marked by the presence of family members of the fallen, including relatives of the personnel who lost their lives in the helicopter crash while carrying out their mission.

A Historic Milestone Marked by Sacrifice

Twenty-five years ago, on the afternoon of April 7, 2001, while conducting a site survey for the 65th joint U.S.-Vietnam MIA field mission, a helicopter carrying a joint Vietnamese and American delegation crashed in the mountainous area of Bac Trach Commune.

All 16 people on board were killed, including nine Vietnamese officials and pilots and seven members of the U.S. team. The nine Vietnamese personnel who lost their lives in the incident were later recognized by the State as martyrs, having fallen in the line of duty during an international humanitarian mission. Far beyond a tragic accident, the incident stands as a solemn milestone defined by profound sacrifice, an enduring testament to the trust and cooperation forged between the two countries through decades of joint efforts under the most challenging circumstances.

Aspiration for Peace and Future Cooperation

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Le Cong Tien, Director of VNOSMP, expressed deep gratitude to the families of the fallen and affirmed that the sacrifice of the 16 Vietnamese and American personnel has made a significant contribution to the MIA cooperation process over the past half century. He noted that the tragic accident serves as a reminder that humanitarian MIA work is inherently difficult and dangerous, involving significant risks, losses, and sacrifices. However, cooperation has never ceased. He emphasized that although search operations have become increasingly challenging due to terrain conditions and the passage of time, successive teams remain fully committed to exerting their utmost efforts to fulfill the mission.

Sharing remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Christopher Phelps, DPAA Director the Indo-Pacific Directorate, underscored that the legacy of war continues to affect many families in both countries. However, he noted that joint efforts to address war legacies have become an important foundation for building the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the United States today.

Leaders of both sides affirmed that the sacrifice of service members from the two countries stands as a powerful testament to a fundamental truth: peace is not merely the absence of gunfire, but the presence of trust and a willingness to share in the suffering of others. It is this profound spirit of humanitarianism that has transformed MIA cooperation from a process of addressing war legacies into a solid foundation for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the United States today.

In tribute to the fallen soldiers and service members of both nations, participants reaffirmed their commitment to a sustainable future of cooperation. The values of peace and trust will continue to be upheld through responsible actions and deeper mutual understanding by individuals and institutions from both countries.

Commemorative Activities in the Local Community

To express gratitude to the land that sheltered and bears witness to the memory of the fallen service members, the VNOSMP also presented 50 gift packages, totaling VND 100 million, to the Bac Trach Commune People’s Committee to support policy beneficiary families in the area. This meaningful gesture reflects the long-standing tradition of “when drinking water, remember its source” and further strengthens the bond between the armed forces and local communities in the shared humanitarian mission.

Author: Thu Hoài

Translator: Bảo Ngọc

View the Vietnamese version at https://sngv.quangtri.gov.vn/chi-tiet-tin/-/view-article/1/442011382601115302/1775641714701