His mission is to reunite fallen soldiers and families

Liu especially recalled that during reunion holidays, like Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, the veterans felt the strongest longing for home. On Tomb Sweeping Day, they would face in the direction of their hometowns and pay their respects to their parents from afar.

"I have seen several of them crying because of homesickness," he said. "I was like a son to them. When veterans passed away, I accompanied them on their final journey."

In 2003, a veteran in his 90s found Liu and asked: "Would you please bring me back to my hometown and bury me near my parents' grave when I die? Let me fulfill my filial duty and be reunited with my parents."

Liu agreed to the old man's request, and he has been bringing veterans back home since then. During the journeys to their hometowns, he always buys a ticket for the departed soul. He keeps their ashes in a red cloth because the color red symbolizes a joyous homecoming. The ashes are placed in a red backpack he always wears on the chest as a sign of respect.

"I always tell them which flight we are taking and which bus we will ride. Once we are underway, I always remind them to stay close to me because we are heading home," he said.