Manila American Cemetery Celebrates Christian Memorial Day

Allied heroes of the War on the Pacific Front of World War II were honored Sunday morning, May 27, 2018, at an hour-long annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines. The historic cemetery is located at the former United States Military Reservation, Fort William McKinley, now known as Fort Bonifacio. It is comprised of 152 acres, containing the most graves of World War II heroes—over 17,000 deceased representing 48 states of the Union, Washington, D.C., Panama, Guam, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Australia, Canada, China, England, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Finland, Jamaica, Burma and Peru.

The following order of events took place:

The Philippine Army and U.S. Marine Corps presented the colors. The Philippine Army Band played the Philippine and American National Anthems. Elder Shane Brown, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered the invocation. Larry Adkison, superintendent of the Pacific American Battle Monuments Commission, gave the welcoming remarks. Delfin Lorenzana, secretary of defense, Republic of the Philippines, and Michael S. Klecheski, charge d’ affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy, presented the floral offerings.

Robert Lane, American Association of the Philippines, made the opening remarks, declaring that the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery is a Christian event. (Lane’s views are his own and do not represent the U.S. Embassy’s views.)

Memorial Day speeches were delivered by Brigadier General Christopher A. McPhillips, the commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, U.S. Marine Corps, located in Okinawa; Klecheski and Lorenzana.

Memorial prayers were then delivered by Commander Don Biadog, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy, who is the command chaplain of Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar in San Diego, California, and by Rabbi Eliyahu Azaria who represents the Jewish Association of the Philippines. Isabella Sampilo and Joe Maristela delivered the National Moment of Remembrance Tribute. Then I, Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey, USA (Ret.), was honored to deliver the benediction.

The Memorial Day Ceremony came to a close with the ceremonial salute, given by the Philippine Army Honor Guard; Taps, played by the Philippine Army Band; and the Retirement of Colors, conducted by the Philippine Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Wreaths were presented by the Embassy of Australia (Mat Kimberley, deputy head of mission); Embassy of South Africa (Ms. Tshireletso Kau); Embassy of Belgium (Ambassador Michel Goffin); Embassy of Sri Lanka (Mrs. Sewwandi de Silva, second secretary/Head of Chancery); and the Indonesian Embassy (H.E. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang).

Attendees included former President Fidel Ramos, 12th president of the Philippines, and Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson, deputy chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Major Timothy C. Rolling, United States Air Force, who is an attache at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, served as master of ceremonies.