United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Monday, Nov. 11, led the celebration of the Veterans Day in Manila as she honored the former and current men and women in service.
The US Embassy in Manila said Carlson paid tribute to American and Filipino military service members, both living and deceased at the American Cemetery.
She also remembered their contributions to freedom and democracy.
“On Veterans Day, we honor American and Filipino service men and women still in uniform, those who have moved on to new opportunities outside of the military, and those who have passed. We owe you our freedom,” she said in her remarks.
“Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II – 80 years since Philippine and US forces, shoulder to shoulder, succeeded in their fight to defend freedom and liberate the Philippines. Even before our 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, we fought together side by side,” she added.
Carlson said that such a bond of shared sacrifice by our veterans “resonates through the decades and still animates our alliance in the form of ever-deepening security cooperation.”
Department of National Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino, US Embassy Defense Attaché Col. Edward Evans, and American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Chairman and retired US Army General Michael Garrett attended the ceremony alongside Filipino and American veterans, veteran service organizations, and members of the diplomatic corps.