The Government of Laos and the US Embassy in Vientiane organized a handover ceremony for the remains of American soldiers at Wattay International Airport on Monday.
The remains of the American soldiers who disappeared during the Indochina War in Laos were discovered in Kham District and Nong Hat District, Xieng Khouang Province, as well as Hiem District, Houaphanh Province.
The event was attended by Mr. Bounleua Phandanouvong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Peter M. Haymond, US Ambassador to Laos, and other relevant officials.
At the ceremony, Deputy Minister Bounleua said that the Lao government places great importance on surveying and excavating the remains of American servicemen who were killed during the conflict in Laos.
At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to the US government for assisting in the construction of essential infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and other facilities in the areas affected by the war where the search for the remains still continues.
Under a joint operation between Laos and the United States over the last five years, the two governments have discovered the remains of 288 out of 573 missing American army personnel, which have been handed over to the US government.
On Monday, the recently-discovered remains of American servicemen were transported via a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III USAF from Laos to Honolulu, Hawaii, in the United States.
