QUEZON CITY, (PIA) - The observance of the Philippine Veterans Week will be concluded today, April 11, 5 pm at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNB), Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
This is the Sunset Ceremony where surviving World War II (WW2) veterans, widows and their descendants will reunite and share reflections on how the sacrifices of our heroes, living and deceased, affected their lives.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was invited as guest speaker.
Eight veterans, to be represented by their relatives, will be given posthumous awards: Benjamin R. Bacosa, Marcelo T. Paiso, Honorio K. Guerrero, Justina H. Labatique, Benjamin J. Tomelden, Marcelo C. Torio, Jose A. Bustamante, and Mulod K. Moro.
Participants are expected to recite the Pledge of Patriotism during the candlelight rite.
Yesterday, April 10, Former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana called on the public to remember the lessons from the unity of nations during World War II in a double event at the Capas National Shrine (part of the former the O’Donnel Concentration Camp), Capas, Tarlac.
Lorenzana was guest speaker for the Joint Tribute to all Filipino ---- a ceremony honoring all martyrs and patriots from the Philippine Revolution (against Spain) up to the post-war conflicts and to the Panggunita sa Capas---the second ceremony that pays tribute to WW2 Filipino and American soldiers.
Now the chairperson of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Lorenzana recalled the resilience of soldiers, Filipinos and Americans, who suffered diseases and starvation as prisoners of war at the Death March and later at the Camp O’Donnel.
A lot of these POWs returned to the battlefield as guerrillas after their release in 1943.
He also underscored the courage of 14 Czech nationals who fought with Filipino-American forces.
One of the highlights of the two events was the wreath-laying ceremony.
Aside from representatives from various veteran organizations, scouting groups and government agencies, the wreath-laying ceremony was attended by US Department of Veterans Affairs Acting Director Kevin J. McAllister, Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejc, Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Pablo M. Lorenzo, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator Reynaldo B. Mapagu. (LP)
