9 April 2010. In an impassioned speech at the “68th Araw ng Kagitingan” Rites, Vice Admiral Ferdinand S. Golez, Flag Officer-in-Command, Philippine Navy, paid tribute to the valiant Filipino and American soldiers who risked their lives for freedom, democracy and peace. He went on to say that these men, most of them young soldiers, willingly sacrificed their lives and achieved victory through faith and courage. “Their heroism will remain forever in the hearts of Filipinos and Americans, ” he added.
He joined Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Major General Peter Pawling, Chief of Staff, US PACOM, Major General Juancho Sabaan, Commandant, Philippine Marines, the Consular Corps, officers of the US PACOM, Major General Diosdado Tabamo, and Filipino Community Leaders in laying a wreath at the Philippine Memorial Marker as a salute to valor, installed in 2006 on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of Philippine – American Friendship.
At the end of the ceremony, VADM Golez mingled with the WW II Fil-Am Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary, Hawaii Chapter, the Philippine Scout Veterans Organization of Hawaii, the First Filipino Infantry, US Army and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“Araw ng Kagitingan” is a memorial ceremony honoring Filipino-American veterans of World War II and held on the anniversary of the fall of Bataan , which culminated in the surrender of more than 75,000 Filipino and American troops, and the Bataan Death March, which claimed nearly 10,000 Filipino and American lives in April 1942.
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