MANILA, Philippines – U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson led a tribute to honour Filipino and American military service members, both living and deceased, on Monday (Nov. 11), and remember their contributions to freedom and democracy, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines said.
“On Veterans Day, we honour American and Filipino service men and women still in uniform, those who have moved on to new opportunities outside of the military, and those who have passed. We owe you our freedom,” Ambassador Carlson said in her remarks during the ceremony held at the Manila American Cemetery in Taguig City.
Carlson also mentioned the strong bond shared today by both Philippine and American forces, due to soldiers fighting “shoulder to shoulder” to defend freedom and liberate the Philippines during the Second World War.
“Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II – 80 years since Philippine and U.S. forces, shoulder to shoulder, succeeded in their fight to defend freedom and liberate the Philippines,” Carlson said.
“Even before our 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, we fought together side by side. That bond of shared sacrifice by our veterans resonates through the decades and still animates our alliance in the form of ever-deepening security cooperation,” Carlson added.
Philippine officials also attended the Veterans Day ceremony, namely: Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino, U.S. Embassy Defense Attaché Col. Edward Evans, and American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Chairman and retired U.S. Army General Michael Garrett, alongside Filipino and American veterans, veteran service organizations, and members of the diplomatic corps.
“Veterans Day reminds us of the courage and dedication of all who have fought for peace and freedom, including the Filipino veterans who stood alongside American forces,” Undersecretary Espino said.
“The Department of National Defense, through the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, remains steadfast in our commitment to promote the welfare and wellbeing of our veterans. We remember their legacy so their courage could continue to inspire future generations,” Espino stated.
Meanwhile, ABMC Chairman Garret underscored the Manila American Cemetery as a “sacred American space” and thanked the Philippines for allowing the “fallen” American servicemen to be honoured and remembered.
“The Manila American Cemetery is not only a sacred American space, but also Filipino soil honouring our shared history and shared sacrifice,” Garrett said.
“To our Filipino hosts, including our friends and neighbours right here in Manila, and all who are among America’s oldest partners here in Asia, I want to thank you for allowing us to honour our fallen here on your land,” Garrett added.
Nearly 50 million men and women have worn the uniform of the United States, with about 20 million still in active service. Of those, more than 69,000 have Filipino heritage, representing the second-largest foreign-born U.S. veteran population after Mexico, the U.S. Embassy mentioned.
