Pangasinan celebrates heroism of WWII vets
LINGAYEN—Heroes of World War II are not forgotten in Pangasinan.
On January 9, 2014, coinciding with the observance of the 69th Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary, the provincial government led by Governor Amado Espino Jr. recognized anew the heroism and contributions of Pangasinan war veterans and of the allied forces towards national liberation.
About 500 veterans received various benefits and were given free medical check up.
Espino said the annual reunion with the veterans that started in 2008 by virtue of a provincial proclamation is the province’s way of showing them that they and their sacrifices will always be remembered.
He added that the event is aimed at inspiring the youth on the values of heroism and patriotism as displayed by the veterans during the war.
“Certainly, they (the veteran) will leave us with graphic accounts and inspiring memories for the great love of country which they demonstrated not just with empty word but with concrete acts of valor, self-sacrifice, and heroism,” said the governor.
The opening program’s guest speaker, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator Ret. General Ernesto Carolina, expressed appreciation for the provincial government’s initiative.
Carolina echoed the event’s goal “that the stories of our Pangasinense-heroes would serve as inspiration to everyone, especially to the youth.”
OLDEST VETERAN
Carolina said Pangasinan, according to the PVAO data, has the most number of surviving WWII veterans at 759.
The oldest surviving veteran is 103-year old Private Bonifacio Alagao Agacer of Barangay Salud, Natividad. He was awarded a plaque of recognition and monetary benefit of P20,000 during the event.
Espino handed the awards to Agacer’s son and daughter Mariano, 83 and Jovita, 70, as their father was unable to travel due to health reasons.
The one-day affair also commemorated the landing of thousands of allied forces that fought alongside Filipinos at the Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945 at about 9:30 in the morning.
The governor described the historic landing as “the crucial turning point in World War II that led to the liberation of the Philippines and entire Pacific area.”
Carolina, meanwhile, said “the significant spot of Lingayen Gulf in our history is made more significant by what happened following the landings.”
He narrated that after the landings, the gulf was used as a major supply depot that supported the battle of Luzon and served as a backdoor to Manila “for its would-be liberators.”
Following a thanksgiving mass officiated by Archbishop Socrates Villegas at 7 a.m., Espino, Carolina, and foreign dignitaries including Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines Bill Tweddell and James Curtis-Smith, president of the
Returned Services League of Australia led the ceremonial wreath laying at the Veterans Memorial Park which kicked off the event.
Members of the Security Escorts Battalion also fired a twenty-one-gun salute for the veterans.–Johanne R. Macob
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