PVAO head salutes Pangasinan veterans
LINGAYEN–“We salute Filipino veterans in Pangasinan for sacrificing their lives and wholeheartedly stood for the freedom of the country.”
This was manifested by Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina, AFP (Ret.), Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), in a speech he delivered during the 69th Lingayen Gulf Landings commeration and 7th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day celebration held January 9 at the Veterans’ Memorial Park here.
“It was on January 9, 1945 — that was 69 years ago — when the historic landing of Allied Forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Lingayen Gulf took place, the turning point which eventually led to the eventual liberation of the Philippines and the entire Pacific area,” Carolina recounted.
The Pangasinan Veterans’ Day, on the other hand, is an annual activity of the province, institutionalized through provincial resolution 331-2007, held in honor of World War II veterans and their sons and daughters which started in 2008 under the administration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.
“The acts of valor and heroism of about 8,000 veterans during World War II (759 of them are Pangasinenses who are still alive) gathered us together in this hallowed ground as we acknowledge their significance in liberating our country from Japanese Imperial Occupation,” Carolina said, adding that “the stories of Pangasinese heroes would serve as influence to the younger generation.”
Giving respect and high honors to the Pangasinan veterans and relatives, Espino said the veterans will leave behind accounts and inspiring memories of their great love for our country, which they demonstrated with concrete acts of valor, self-sacrifice and heroism.
“We are continually challenged to follow their example, and it is how our obligation to bestow upon our children a future built upon thier legacy of patriotism and self-sacrifice,” he added.
The nostalgic feel of the affair, according to Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. was a wake up call “for us to be conscious of what we are doing for the country”.
“Kung noon tayo ay humihingi ng tulong, ngayon tayo na ang nagbibigay ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he said, referring to the humanitarian mission by the provincial government in typhoon-stricken towns of Dulag and Palo in Leyte province held on December 13-20 last year.
A wreath-laying ceremony was led by the sons and daughters of the veterans with Espino, Carolina, some representatives from the United States embassy, Atty. James Curtis Smith, President of Returned Services League of Australia, and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell.
Maj. Gen. Hernando DCA Irreberi of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, provincial board members, municipality and city chief executives and provincial heads and representatives of national line agencies also graced the affair.
Meanwhile, 103-year-old Bonifacio Agacer of Natividad town was recognized as the oldest living Pangasinense war veteran.
The veterans availed of free-of-charge medical services and medicines courtesy of the Provincial Health Office after the formal ceremonies.
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