Each Memorial Day, a service is held to honor the soldiers who fought
in the conflict.
At the conclusion of World War II, enemies of freedom
were defeated following a
tremendous sacrifice of life. Many call the
veterans of World War II the greatest
generation because of the
magnitude and ferocity of the war and the sacrifice that
was made in
order to achieve freedom.The
Philippines suffered as much as any country.
They were drawn into the
war 10 hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor as the Japanese
launched a
surprise attack on the Philippines. The American-Philippine forces were
compelled to surrender in April 1942.What followed is remembered
by all as the
Bataan Death March where over 10,000 men died. The nation
suffered tremendous
destruction and loss of life during the war.
American forces under the command of
General Douglas MacArthur landed in
Leyte on October 20, 1944. The liberation of the
Philippines then
began. Fighting was fierce. Americans and Filipino guerrilla forces
suffered great losses. The Philippines was finally freed on September 2,
1945 when
a formal surrender was signed by the Japanese which ended
World War II.
The sun shone brightly on the morning of the 26th of May as people,
young and old alike, converged at the Manila American Cemetery in
Fort
Bonifacio, Taguig City, to celebrate Memorial Day.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered a
wreath of flowers,
along with other organizations, in respect for the
heroes who sacrificed their
lives for faith and freedom. Hadlocks, DuPaixs, Baileys, Frenches and Tenneys.
Our good friends the Ferrins, the McAllisters, and Alex and Shantel,
the summer legal interns.
Men and women
veterans of the war, wrinkled with age, stood proudly alongside
ambassadors, government and military personnel, and representatives from
various
organizations to remember the fallen.
The Philippine
Army Band enthusiastically played military marches and at the
conclusion of the service played taps to a hushed crowd.
The Honor Guard then gave a 21 gun salute.
Mayor Lim, who we met recently, was there to honor his own father who
fought and died in the war.
This sweet little native was rescued by American soldiers. He and his wife are in their 90's.
Ambassador Thomas, Dallin Windsor,
a brand new Life Scout, and Elder DuPaix
Dignitaries and ambassadors from Australia, New Zealand, Great
Britain and other countries attended the service. American Ambassador Harry R. Thomas
Jr. presented a wreath and gave a Memorial Day message honoring those
American and Philippine soldiers who served their countries.
The Ambassador from New Zealand with Elder DuPaix who served
his first mission there.
Elder and Sis. Hull on their last day of their mission.
We were very touched by these words from our own Public Affairs Director:
Haidi Fajardo (Philippines) reflected, “Both of my grandfathers
fought during the war.
Lolo (grandfather) Kikoy was a guerilla leader
who had to escape to Bohol at one time
since my grandmother had to give
birth to my mother and the Japanese army was
pursuing them.My
other Lolo, Col. Dominico Flores, died as he fought against the
Japanese
leaving my dad and his seven other siblings fatherless. The Memorial
Day
is very meaningful to me because of my grandfathers’ stories of
valor and sacrifice.
Alongside the Americans, they offered their lives
for freedom. When I saw the veterans
last Sunday, both Americans and
Filipinos, standing side by side just like the old days,
a deep sense of
patriotism swelled within me and my heart goes out to those who fought
valiantly. The Memorial day was a beautiful, solemn and sacred affair."
