The Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio was filled with hundreds of people gathered to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Manila. Rows of crosses fanned outward from the memorial at the center of the 152-acre cemetery, a somber reminder of the more than 100,000 lives lost during the battle.
As the ceremony concluded, a wave of attendees surged forward to pay their respects to a row of World War II veterans. These aging Americans and Filipinos, now in their late 90s and early 100s, smiled as they received mano, a traditional gesture of gratitude in which a younger person presses their forehead to their senior’s hand.
The mood was captured by Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who addressed the crowd earlier, saying, “May the sacrifices of our forebears inspire us to stand firm in the face of modern challenges.”
5 Comments
Fuerza
The presence of American troops in the Philippines raises questions about continued US military presence in the region.
Manolo Noriega
The article focuses on the veterans, but what about the families who lost loved ones in the war? Their stories deserve to be heard too.
Fuerza
Is it appropriate to celebrate war, even if it was fought against a brutal enemy? Shouldn't we strive for peace instead?
Ongania
The sacrifices of the past should not be used to justify present-day actions, especially when it comes to military intervention.
Fuerza
The use of the word "commemorate" implies approval of the war, which is a dangerous simplification of a complex historical event.