The Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations held a funeral for Lieutenant Colonel Do Anh, who died on duty in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Central Africa. The ceremony was held at the National Funeral Home on Jan. 19.

Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations Hoang Kim Phung said Lieutenant Colonel Do Anh's sacrifice was the biggest loss of the force in its eight years of participating in UN peacekeeping operations.

Do Anh's family at the funeral. (Photo: Zing News)

"I hope he is the only one to die"

Soldiers slowly brought the coffin of the first Vietnam's "Blue Beret" martyr to a car at the National Funeral House.

Behind the coffin, his wife tried to hold back her tears. Their young daughter stared at the line of people, while their son fell asleep in the arms of a relative.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Lien, Do Anh's college at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, could not help crying. She ran after the children, and made sure their clothes were warm enough.

"The children are so young, they don't even realize where their dad has gone. I find that heartbreaking. Such pain can follow them when they grow up and realize the role of a father," Lien choked.

Lien worked in Central Africa Republic before Do Anh, so she understood the hardship of the mission.

A "Blue Beret" soldier has to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, facing difficulties, witnessing war, and gunfights.

"Peacekeeping soldiers do not back down to challenges. They prioritize their duty. Even if they have to sacrifice for the fatherland or the global peace, it is a glorious sacrifice," said Lien.

Major General Hoang Kim Phung. (Photo: Zing News)

Reading a eulogy, Major General Hoang Kim Phung said Do Anh was the first Vietnamese peacekeeping soldier to die during the country's eight years of joining the UN mission.

"Lieutenant Colonel Do Anh's death is a sad note of Vietnamese soldiers' journey of proving our ability to international friends," Major General Hoang Kim Phung said.

According to Phung, Do Anh was an excellent officer. He had an accident while performing the humanitarian task of the UN. "I hope he is the only one to die," Hoang Kim Phung said.

Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam (R) at the funeral. (Photo: Zing News)

Appreciation of international friends

Rana Flower, United Nations Acting Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, sent the UN's condolences to Do Anh's family. On behalf of the UN Secretary-General, she thanked the soldier for his dedication to protecting women and children, hospitals, and schools.

UN Under-Secretary-General Jean Pierre Lacroix sent a letter to the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in which he sent his sincere condolences to the Vietnamese government and Do Anh's family.

"I would like to express my gratitude for the valuable support that the Government of Vietnam gives to UN peacekeeping operations," he wrote.

Nick Darcy, Australia's military attaché in Vietnam. (Photo: Zing News)

Military attaches of the UK, USA, Australia, France, and Japan gathered in the funeral house to burn incense for the lost peacekeeper.

Nick Darcy, Australia's military attaché in Vietnam, said: "Any human loss is sad and tragic, but I think it is a testament to Vietnam's active participation in international peacekeeping commitments. I was extremely impressed by your country's diligent dedication in maintaining the international peacekeeping treaty. This will always be appreciated and cherished by the global community," said Darcy.

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