A solemn ceremony took place at the Son My relic site in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam on Sunday morning to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the namesake massacre, with American veterans offering flowers and a violin performance in tribute to the victims.

Hundreds of local residents, provincial leaders, veterans, and visitors gathered in Tinh Khe Commune, located in the provincial capital city of Quang Ngai, to pay tribute to the victims, including women, children, and the elderly, who were killed in cold blood in the Son My massacre in 1968.

Fifty-seven years ago, on the morning of March 16, 1968, a battalion of American soldiers descended upon Son My Village and carried out a massacre that slain 504 people, shocking not only Vietnam but also the entire world. 

The massacre sparked global outrage and contributed to growing opposition to the American war in Vietnam.

At this year’s ceremony, a long bell rang out across the memorial grounds, followed by a moment of silence as officials, locals, and veterans gathered around Son My Monument.

They paid their respects by offering incense and placing flowers at the foot of the statue, in memory of the victims whose lives were tragically cut short.

Among the mourners were those who survived the massacre, their eyes heavy with painful memories. 

The survivors recounted their heartbreaking stories, offering a solemn reminder of the deep scars left by war, yet also expressing hope for a future of peace and reconciliation.

U.S. veteran Mike Boehm made a long journey to Son My to join the ceremony. 

With his violin in hand, he played a haunting melody at the base of the monument to honor the victims. 

His act of remembrance has become a touching ritual over the years. 

Billy Kelly, another American veteran, also sent 504 roses, one for each victim of the massacre, symbolizing his deep respect and sorrow for the lives lost.

Ronald Haeberle, an American journalist who captured some of the most haunting images of the Son My massacre, returned to the site as well. 

Nguyen Van Thanh, deputy director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said that the Son My massacre was not only the tragedy of its kind, but it remains a powerful symbol of the brutal and inhumane actions committed during wartime.

“We must learn from the past, close the chapter on our painful history, and move forward with a spirit of friendship and cooperation with all nations that share a vision of peace and progress,” he stressed.

Though 57 years has passed, the sorrow triggered by the massacre remains in the corner of memory, with the land and its people now symbolizing resilience and rebirth. 

The locals continue with their lives, smiling at the world, knowing that the best way forward is to build a better future.

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