LINGAYEN-Finally, after 63 years, Pangasinan’s World War II veterans will be honored every January 9 starting this year when the province commemorates the historic Lingayen Gulf Landing of the Liberation Forces led by Gen. Douglas McArthur.

The day will be called Pangasinan Veterans’ Day by virtue of an approved provincial board resolution number 331-2007 authored by number 331-2007 for the declaration of Jan. 9 as Pangasinan Veterans Day authored by Vice-Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and her husband, Sixth District Board Member Tyrone Agabas.

Leo Urmaza, head of the Pangasinan Veterans’ Affairs Office which comprises both the Veterans’ Federation of Pangasinan and the Veterans’ Sons and

Daughters Association, expressed his office’s appreciation to the provincial government for recognizing the heroism and gallantry showed by the Pangasinan soldiers, guerillas and civilians who helped liberate the country from the Japanese forces during the World War II.

The Agabas resolution noted that the recognition accorded to war veterans in Pangasinan had only been intermittent, highlighted only by the grand celebrations of the 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Lingayen Gulf landing last 1995 and 2005 respectively.

They said that to give true meaning to the gratitude of the province of Pangasinan to its veterans, it was imperative to designate a specific day for honoring them annually.

A separate resolution was passed by the provincial board also authored by

The Agabas couple requesting President Gloria Arroyo to declare Jan. 9, 2008 and every year thereafter as a non-working day in Pangasinan in the observance of Pangasinan Veterans’s Day.

However, at presstime, there is still no official word if the request was granted.

Urmaza, himself a son of veteran parents, announced that there will be an opening and ribbon cutting of a war photo exhibit and memorabilia display at the Narciso Ramos Administration building on January 8, sponsored by the Philippine Veterans Bank.

Former President Fidel Ramos will be the guest of honor and speaker for the main program at the Veterans’ Park at the Capitol compound here on January 9.

Ramos and Gov. Amado Espino Jr. will lead the unveiling of a memorial marker in honor of the departed unknown soldiers who fought during the war, followed by a wreath-laying and candle lighting.

In the afternoon, there will be band exhibition by the Marines at the stadium in Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here, followed by a skydiving exhibition by the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police and a silent drill by the Philippine Military Academy. #

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