Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the dedication of Wang Dejian, a postal worker in Shandong Province, who has spent nine years helping to locate the families of fallen soldiers, demonstrating the profound impact of individual efforts in preserving historical memory and honoring sacrifices made for the country [1][52]. Group 1: Wang Dejian's Role and Efforts - Wang Dejian has been a postal worker for 12 years, delivering mail across 24 administrative villages in Tanbu Town, and has successfully found the families of 50 martyrs [1][48]. - His journey to help locate martyrs' families began with a letter he received nine years ago, which requested assistance in finding the family of a martyr [4][6]. - Wang's commitment to this cause is fueled by his respect for the heroes of the past, as he grew up listening to revolutionary stories [14][52]. Group 2: Challenges Faced - One of the main challenges Wang encountered was the change of place names over the years, which complicated the search for the martyrs' families [29][52]. - To overcome these challenges, he invested time in researching historical records and local geography, utilizing both books and online resources [29][32]. Group 3: Community Involvement and Impact - Wang's efforts have inspired others, including Zhang Jingxian, a community leader who provided him with a list of 93 martyrs to help locate their families [23][25]. - The emotional impact of finding families for these martyrs is significant, as it brings closure to long-standing searches for their loved ones [20][23]. Group 4: Future Aspirations - Wang Dejian continues to seek out families for martyrs, with a current focus on locating relatives of a martyr from the anti-Japanese war period [36][52]. - He maintains detailed records of his findings and shares information online to enlist the help of others in his quest [50][52].

Core Points - The Ministry of Veterans Affairs has established a public service platform for locating martyrs' relatives, encouraging social participation in the search process [1] - The initiative has successfully identified burial sites or found relatives for a total of 7,000 martyrs [1]

Core Insights - The article discusses the significant work of a research team in identifying and honoring the remains of Chinese soldiers from historical battles, emphasizing the importance of DNA identification and archaeological methods in reconnecting families with their lost relatives [1][2][4]. Group 1: Research and Methodology - The research team undertook the identification of 27 remains of Chinese soldiers from the Myanmar battle, utilizing Y-chromosome genetic analysis to trace their geographical origins [1]. - From 2015 to 2018, the team collected 572 remains from various battle sites, leading to the successful identification of a soldier's remains in 2019 through DNA comparison with a descendant [1]. - In 2023, the team expanded their work to a comprehensive study of a martyr cemetery in Shanxi, aiming to identify the soldiers and reconstruct historical contexts through DNA and isotopic analysis [2]. Group 2: Findings and Historical Context - The excavation in Shanxi revealed that the average life expectancy of the identified martyrs was only 20.5 years, with some as young as 14, highlighting the youth and sacrifice of these soldiers [2]. - The research at the snow village site uncovered remains of non-combatants, including nearly 25% women and about one-third infants, illustrating the tragic impact of war on civilians [3]. - The findings from Jiangxi presented challenges due to environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of local community efforts in preserving the memory of the martyrs [3]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The work reflects a transition from forensic DNA identification to a broader historical narrative, aiming to convey the stories of martyrs and the spirit of heroism to a wider audience [4]. - The article underscores the need for more participation in this field, advocating for the use of technological archaeology to deepen the understanding of historical events and their significance [4].