73rd LINGAYEN GULF LANDING

THE veterans in Pangasinan took center stage anew when the provincial government observed and celebrated 73rd Lingayen Gulf Landings and the 11th Pangasinan Veterans Days on January 9 at the Veteran’s Park, Capitol Ground in Lingayen.

In affirming the heroism of the veterans, Gov. Amado I. Espino, III called on Pangasinenses to emulate the courage displayed by the Pangasinan freedom fighters and guerrillas of WWII.

“Let us have a collective courage — like our veterans who bonded together during wartime — to protect and preserve what we have accomplished for our province,” Espino said.

It was on January 9, 1945 when the historic landing of Allied Forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Lingayen Gulf took place, which became the turning point of the liberation of the Philippines and the entire Pacific area from Japanese Occupation.

This year’s event was attended, however, by 70 surviving World War II (WW-II) veterans. They were accompanied by their families.

Records at the satellite office of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office in Pangasinan show that there were 499 living veterans in 2016, and as of December 2017, there are only 275 surviving.

“The bravery of our veterans in the past should be our constant reminder and inspiration to live a courageous life now and in the future,” the governor intoned as he cited the bravery, sacrifice and patriotism of the veterans.

It was during the term of 5^th District Rep. Amado T. Espino, Jr., as governor when the Pangasinan Veterans’ Day was established in 2008 via Provincial Resolution No. 331-2007 passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The SP members led by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. were also in attendance.

Second District Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, the House of Representatives’ Committee Chairperson on Veterans Affairs and Welfare, as the commemorative speaker.

Bataoil led the wreath-laying was joined by Gov. Espino; Lt. Col. Ramon Antonio Bello, PA Cavalry General Services Corps; BGen. Restituto L. Aguilar (Ret. AFP), Veterans Memorial and Historical Division Chief; Returned Services League of Australia President Roberto Barnes, and Peter Renton, and Carlito Bautista and Josefa Patalinghog, representing sons and daughters of WW-II veterans.

Lingayen–Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas celebrated a mass before the twin events.

Medical mission for WW-II veterans and their families followed at the Sison Auditorium right after the commemorative program. (Nora Dominguez /PIO)

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