On a working trip in Quang Tri, Knapper paid tribute to martyrs at the National Martyrs Cemetery Road 9 in Dong Ha Town.
This was his first visit to a Vietnamese martyr cemetery.
In August 2019, then U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink visited Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery, also in Quang Tri, marking the first time an American ambassador visited a martyrs cemetery in Vietnam.
In line with local tradition, Knapper and Hoang Nam, Quang Tri Deputy Chairman, rung the cemetery bell nine times to pay respect to the dead.
Knapper also burned incense at the cemetery’s main temple.
“One cannot help but be moved by standing here in this place,” he said. “It is a reminder of our shared tragic history and our shared sacrifices.”
Over 10,000 martyrs lie in the cemetery, most of whose identities are not confirmed.
Knapper said that his father served for 10 months in Quang Tri during the war.
“This is my first visit to a martyr cemetery in Vietnam. It is personally very meaningful to me.”
Knapper and Nam put incense on several graves.
“Looking at the graves here, I can feel the pain of the martyrs’ family,” the U.S. ambassador said.
Knapper said that he decided to visit Quang Tri because there are many partnership activities between Vietnam and the U.S. in the province.
"The two countries have been cooperating in demining and we look forward to working with Vietnam to search for and identify missing people, not only Americans but also Vietnamese."
On the same day, Knapper visited the Quang Tri Mine Action Center and viewed an exhibition on mine recovery activities.
In this photo, U.S. Ambassador Knapper views a map of mine accident density in Quang Tri from 1975-2010.
The Ambassador was shown fragments of bombs left over from the war.
Many foreign NGO projects, including those funded by the U.S., are underway in Quang Tri to clear landmines.
Knapper shook hands with Mrs. Hoang Thi Luu, 70, in Gio Linh District. She lost both legs at the age of 17 after tripping over a landmine.
Her wheelchair was given to her by Project RENEW, which is funded by the United States Agency for Development (USAID).
Knapper also cut the ribbon to inaugurate Trieu Dai Kindergarten, which was built by the U.S. Office for Defense Cooperation (ODC) in Trieu Phong District. Photo by Hong Ha.
"The preschool in Trieu Dai shows that the U.S. is investing in a bright and prosperous future not only for Vietnam but also for the U.S. and the future of Vietnam-U.S. relations," he said.
Since 2005, ODC has launched six "turnkey" projects in Quang Tri, with a total capital of $2.84 million. This year, ODC is building Trieu Thuan Kindergarten in Trieu Phong district with a capital of $500,000.
Quang Tri Chairman Vo Van Hung said he hoped the U.S. would continue to support resources for Quang Tri to continue its efforts to clear landmines, and encourage American companies and businesses to invest in the locality.
Quang Tri is one of the most heavily war-affected locations in Vietnam and is the leading province in the country in terms of unexploded ordnance levels, with 81.36% of its land still polluted with bombs, mines and other war explosives.
From 1996 until now, Quang Tri has received $91.1 million in support from the U.S. through NGOs to clear landmines and overcome the consequences of war.
