PALO, LEYTE, Philippines 鈥� 鈥淣ever forget what we did.鈥�
This was the appeal of the 14 surviving World War II veterans here during the 80th commemoration on Sunday of US Gen. Douglas MacArthur鈥檚 return that marked the Philippines鈥� liberation from Japanese rule.
鈥淚 have only one wish now, for our young people and the next generations to never forget what we did to help liberate our country from the Japanese invaders,鈥� said Cornelio Dacuno, who was only 16 when he joined the guerrillas.
Grade schoolers from the United States and the Philippines sent about 200 鈥渢hank you鈥� letters for the commemoration at MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park.
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鈥楧emocratic partners鈥�
One letter by Lou Midgett of Georgetown, Louisiana, said: 鈥淲e appreciate you more than words can say, and we thank you for serving and for defending your country.鈥�
President Marcos, who is in Indonesia to attend President Prabowo Subianto鈥檚 inauguration, said in a message read by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.: 鈥淭o our youth who did not experience war but have inherited the lessons of history, may today serve as a reminder that the freedom we enjoy today was not simply given. It was fought for, born out of the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors, our countrymen, our veterans, and every Filipino.鈥�
Teodoro reaffirmed his agency鈥檚 mandate 鈥渢o protect our national security, territorial integrity, and the freedom our veterans fought so hard for.鈥�
Australian Ambassador Hae Kyung Yu and US Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane thanked officials from Leyte, including Speaker Martin Romualdez, Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla and Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, for continuing to commemorate the Leyte landing.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said: 鈥淭ogether with the United States and Australia, we have become trusted democratic partners united by a common goal.鈥�