US vet donates 70 mini replicas of warships
LEGACY OF LINGAYEN GULF LANDING
IN honor of his grandfather and grand uncle who participated in the epic landing of allied forces led by the Americans in the Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945, a retired U.S. Navy weatherman donated a 70 pieces of miniature replica of the ships of the U.S. Fleet and their allies that saw action during the actual landing 70 years ago.
Russel Leon Sandlin. 63, who is a veteran himself having seen action twice in Vietnam War in 1972 and 1975, said he decided to donate his personal collection to the province of Pangasinan as a legacy from his family.
His donation was received by Governor Amado Espino Jr., Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim and Second District Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil in the presence of Major General James Pasquarette, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army in the Pacific, Col. Bruce Murray, defense attaché of the Australian embassy; and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, guest of honor and speaker during the 70th Lingayen Gulf Landing anniversary.
He said he did not know that his grandfather Oscar Rogec and granduncle Henry Rogec were parts of the Lingayen Gulf operation until his mother showed him old photographs of his grandfather shortly after he died a year and a half ago
“I was overwhelmed. It took me a day to get over it emotionally,” said Sandlin noting that he, his grandfather and granduncle shared the same hobby –creating ship miniature replicas simulating the Lingayen Gulf landing.
He said the set he donated to Pangasinan was part of a bobby he had been doing since he was eight years old. He estimated he may already have probably done some 2,000 miniature ships.
Russell Leon Sandlin turns over his collection of 70 mini replicas of warships to Gov. Espino.
Pointing to his donation, Sandlin told newsmen: “These are just sample of almost 900 ships involved in that operation (Lingayen Gulf landing), adding that these ships include battleships, carriers and others.
He said in the 70-ship miniature replica, Mac Arthur’s flagship “Boise”, which he said was an amphibious attack ship, was included.
Sandlin said he created his collection using model kits bought from hobby stores, then used polysterine plastic and glue, and painted them gray based on the actual color and designs of the ships.
Asked if his donation was the same one he donated in Leyte, Sandlin said “it was the same ships that I did but the only difference is the location and the date”.
He told newsmen of his plan to donate to the American people a 35-year work he has been doing, the miniature scale replica of 191 ships of the U.S. Navy Fleet bombed and sank by the Japanese in a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec, 7, 1941.
He said he intends to make his donation on the Dec. 7, 2016, the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.
Sandlin said that his upcoming creation could remind everyone that due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, America was not able to come and rescue those who fought and died in Bataan and Corregidor.
“They (defenders of Bataan and Corregidor) were waiting all those months, but the American fleet never came,” Sandlin recalled.
“I am going to make a very dangerous announcement that I have made a possible commitment to bring the entire Pearl Harbor Fleet (referring to the miniature ship replicas) to Corregidor on May 6, 2017 as a remembrance to those who fought and died because of the fleet that never came.
“Now it will come finally (referring to his replicas),” he paused. (Leonardo Micua)
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