Leyte to continue commemorating US landing, Gov assures
Palo, Leyte — On the eve of the historic beachhead of the American soldiers in the shores here, both the heroism of the US troops and the Filipino guerillas were refreshed in the minds of those who actually participated in the action, and in spirit for the generations that followed after those war-torn years.
This was the mood last night at the Bethel International School here, during the awarding rites for the ten oldest surviving second world war veterans, particularly in these parts of the country, Leyte and Samar, one of the highlights in today’s 65th Leyte Landing commemorative festivities.
“We will not forget your heroism,” Leyte Gov. Jericho “Icot” Petilla told the attending US and Filipino war veterans, now in their advanced, senior years yet were still able to come and be counted for this year’s anniversary.
“We young people look up to you, to be inspired, and we will continue to commemorate the Leyte landing for the succeeding years,” said Gov. Petilla, adding that this will be the task of the sons and daughters of the veterans as a fitting tribute for their sacrifices.
Petilla acknowledged that the WWII combatants were a vanishing tribe, saying the “Veterans were disappearing every year,” even as he wished them to be around for next year’s celebration.
The 65th Leyte Landing commemorative events carried the theme “A Salute to the Valor of our Last Living Heroes.”
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to be the guest of honor and speaker in the anniversary program at MacArthur Park, the site where the “GI Joe’s” landed, and where MacArthur delivered his now famous “People of the Philippines, I have returned…” address. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
