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Major General Pawling venerates "Unbreakable Bond" of WWII Veterans at Kagitingan Rites


 

9 April 2010.     “In defending Bataan and Corregidor, Filipinos and American soldiers, our forefathers, forged an unbreakable bond between our two countries, ” Major General Peter Pawling, Chief of Staff, US Pacific Command highlighted in his remarks at the 68th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) Memorial Ceremony held on 9 April 2010 at the National Cemetery of the Pacific,  Punchbowl, Honolulu. 

The US Pacific Command extended full support by providing all the military components of the celebrations. The Pacific Fleet Band led by Chief Richard Lindberg played the National Anthems of the United States, the Philippine National Anthem and the Hawaii State Anthem, Hawaii Ponoi. Capt. David Cloak, USN Chaplain  gave the Invocation on that solemn day.  The USPACOM also provided the Color Guards and the Firing Detail for the Memorial 3 Gun Salute.  A number of senior USPACOM officials, including BGen Gary Hara, attended the event. 


Major General Pawling joined Governor Linda Lingle, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Flag Officer-in-Command, Philippine Navy, Major General Juancho Sabaan, Commandant, Philippine Marines, the Consular Corps and Filipino Community leaders at the Wreath Laying Ceremony made poignant by the ageing and frail Filipino-American veterans standing in unyielding attention amidst heavy rains.    

MGen. Pawling paid tribute to all the Filipino-American veterans groups as he reiterated his respect and gratitude to  all veterans who fought for our two countries in the name of freedom and democracy.

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