How Are You Celebrating Your Memorial Day?

[jon1]

I decided to take some time out and visit the American Cemetery in Clark. Wanting to get up and back before it got too hot, I got there at 0730 and it was closed (opens at 0900). So instead of hanging out for an hour and a half, I did a quick ride north to Capas, where they have the National WWII POW Shrine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capas_National_Shrine that memorializes almost 40,000 Filipino/American soldiers that died in Camp O’Donnell (after surviving the Bataan Death March). The project was jointly funded by the Japanese, US and Philippines and dedicated in 2003. It is a very decent place but out of the way. I have been there twice now and never seen more than 3 – 5 people there.

 

I got back to the American Cemetery just after 0900 and found nobody there. There were no flags posted (as is customary) and a sign (see 2014_CVC_Commemoration_Invitation.jpg) stating that there will be a ceremony on Friday, May 30^th. After I got home I researched this, and found in the VFW post update (see Post Update.doc), that the Cemetery will finally be turned over to the American Battle Monuments Commission. So after all of these years being privately maintained by the VFW and a few other private entities, the Cemetery will be maintained by the US Gov’t.

 

By the time I got home at 1030 it was 91 degrees (feels like 104 with the humidity) and was more than ready to cool off.

 

Now off to enjoy my freedoms that so many have died for and cook some more beer before my BBQ tonight  :cheersty:

Post Update.doc

[Jake]

Hey Jon1,

 

Nice ride!  We thank you for your tribute by going all the way to Clark from Subic.  And thank you for

the update about the US govt taking over to maintain that sacred ground of the American Cemetery.  

It was such a tragedy of epic proportion that many lives were lost, especially the civilian population.

 

You're a warrior yourself.  I'm surprise you don't have an Easy Rider Rifle Rack on your road runner!

 

Have a cold one for me........

 

[jon1]

hehehe no need for a Rifle rack, I can outrun bullets! hahaha just kidding.. But I can outrun most of the locos encountered on the SCTEX. Especially when they want to tailgate at 70mph. I just kick it into 4th and disappear. Usually after a couple clicks at 85-90mph they don't bother with their stupid pass and let you pass games anymore. The ride to Clark is less than an hour now.

 

It really is a crime that the VFW had to fight all of this time to right this huge wrong. There at least 8000 americans and filipinos buried there (from the colonial times to post WWII). If anything, the US should have offered to repatriate the remains of the US personnel buried there.

 

On Capaz, I do not think there is a cemetary there. I believe that all remains from there were either repatriated or relocated to the Cemetary in Manila.. Too many people died needlessly in the first years of WWII in Luzon. Some of the books on the POWs conditions that they had to endure is mind wretching.

 

I wanted the forum members to get a perspective on what Memorial Day is like here. There was a ceremony at the American Cemetary in Ft Bonifacio today at 0800. The Embassy usually presides over it. I am sure that it is a sight to see. The stones there are crosses like any National Cemetary in the US.

 

If I can, I may swing by on Friday to get some pics of the Cemetery. Or maybe one of our members in AC can provide some? They are supposed to be planting flags on Thursday.

Edited May 25, 2014 by jon1

[Jake]

If anything, the US should have offered to repatriate the remains of the US personnel buried there.

 

Hey Jon1,

 

That's a good question.  So what if it take a million bucks to repatriate the remains back to their home state.

We're still sending millions to Pakistan each year, so it can't be a question of money.  Is it against some law?

 

Will there be more cemeteries in the near future?  At the rate we're going, we will probably obliterate each

other before man steps on the surface of Mars.  There goes the neighborhood.......

 

Respectfully -- Jake 

[Call me bubba]

wanted the forum members to get a perspective on what Memorial Day is like here. There was a ceremony at the American Cemetary in Ft Bonifacio today at 0800. The Embassy usually presides over it. I am sure that it is a sight to see

 

Yes it was at 8am,(always held on the SUNDAY before memorial day)

needed to come ON TIME(early) as it starts promptly.

NIce speeches was given by Mr Robert Lane, the new American ambassador Goldberg,Admiral Samuel  Locklear

 

 

 

It really is a crime that the VFW had to fight all of this time to right this huge wrong.

 

when i spoke with member of the AMBC manila it is the PURSUANCE  (hope this is the best word to describe)

of their"cause" that has made this ALL possible,

 so when your IN AC stop by the VFW post, THANK THEM. have a beer & a good meal

 

 

On Capaz, I do not think there is a cemetery there. I believe that all remains from there were either repatriated or relocated to the Cemetery in Manila..

 

after the war from 1946- ? the various areas where the hero's was buried,

they was relocated to American Cemetery manila or if family wished they was returned home   

 

regarding FLAG PLANTING,

the American cemetery manila does this the day before ,any event Starting at 6am

 if you wish to ever volunteer please come, who knows who you may see

 

(meaning its a great time to meet other expats or members of the embassy mission)

 

general site of the ABMC

 

CLARK

MANILA

 

http://www.abmc.gov/news-events/news/abmc-honors-americans-buried-and-memorialized-overseas-memorial-day-weekend#.U3W7AFIrfBM

 

 

 unfortunately I don't have pictures of Sundays event , only stock photos are posted.

 

[jon1]

Thanks for all of the great info Pittman. There are so many historical sights here and relearning all of the history is one of my interests. 

[lyno 47]

Our thoughts and gratitude goes out to all those fallen soldiers and to those who are still serving in the US military on your memorial day.

May god bless them all.

[Old55]

Took the family to a drive through animal park today. Monday will visit cemetery.

[BrettGC]

My thoughts and gratitude go out to our American friends on this, your memorial day.  

[Gerald Glatt]

It is Monday morning here in SW Florida,  I will light a candle today to all the veterans who have pasted before me, not only the US but the rest also.