On July 23, 2026, the family of fallen soldier Huỳnh Văn Quên experienced a poignant moment as they received a restored portrait of their loved one after nearly 60 years of longing. The event took place in a solemn atmosphere at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City, where many attendees were moved to tears during the ceremony titled "Finding My Brother's Name."

Nguyễn Thị Lệ, the wife of the deceased soldier, could not hold back her tears as she accepted the portrait of her husband, who sacrificed his life for the country. For many families, receiving these portraits in July is not just a spiritual gift but also a way to fill a void that has lasted for decades. For Lệ, seeing the smile of her beloved in the restored portrait felt like a long-awaited reunion, something she had hoped for throughout her life.

Huỳnh Văn Nhỏ, the youngest brother of Huỳnh Văn Quên, expressed his deep emotions as he received the restored portrait of his brother. "My brother was very handsome, and everyone says I resemble him. Now, our family hopes to soon have DNA results to bring him back to his hometown, where he was born," Nhỏ shared.

Prior to the event, Lệ and family members arrived early at Le Thi Rieng Park to pay their respects to the fallen heroes. Although there is no official identification yet, the atmosphere was filled with emotion as the family visited the site believed to be the burial place of their loved one. Lệ, who has waited 58 years for Quên, never remarried and adopted a granddaughter, steadfastly holding onto the hope of finding her beloved's remains.

The remains believed to belong to Huỳnh Văn Quên were discovered during the initial search efforts by authorities at Le Thi Rieng Park. Lệ and Quên met while participating in revolutionary activities in the former Long An province. Their love blossomed through handwritten letters, with Quên promising to marry Lệ after the victory. "I will win this battle and then come back to marry you," Quên vowed before his deployment in the 1968 Tet Offensive. Lệ promised to wait, a vow that has lasted nearly six decades.

Recently, the leaders of Tay Ninh's Department of Home Affairs officially recognized Nguyễn Thị Lệ as the wife of Huỳnh Văn Quên. Alongside Quên's family, the Political Commissioner of Ho Chi Minh City Command, Nguyễn Thành Trung, presented restored portraits to the families of many other fallen soldiers. Each portrait is the result of a meticulous restoration process using old photographs, archival materials, and information provided by families.

The stories of sacrifice from generations past moved many attendees to tears during the program. In this event, the Ho Chi Minh City Command, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Police and the volunteer photo restoration group (TeamLee), will present 150 restored portraits to the families of fallen soldiers in the area.

After the portrait presentation, the Political Commissioner of Ho Chi Minh City Command, along with officers and soldiers, visited the Memorial House, where the remains of recently discovered soldiers are kept, to pay their respects. Many attendees, including Trần Thị Lệ Thu, daughter of Heroic Fallen Soldier Trần Văn Kiểu, were visibly emotional as they honored the fallen.

The ceremony of presenting portraits and the memorial activities occurred during ongoing efforts to search for and identify the remains of fallen soldiers at Le Thi Rieng Park. Candles were lit in tribute to the soldiers who have rested beneath the earth for many decades. This program was organized to commemorate the 79th Anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2026) and to support the "500 Days and Nights Campaign" for searching, gathering, and identifying the remains of fallen soldiers, allowing the entire Party, people, and military to express profound gratitude to the heroes, wounded soldiers, and those who contributed to the revolution.