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MBDO thanks US Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg and Acting Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Lieutenant General Glorioso V. Miranda for honoring the military. A special thanks to Superintendent Larry Adkison and the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Staff for supporting this event.
The Keynote Speech by His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos, Former President, Republic of the Philippines & Inspirational Message by Col. Ralph Liebhaber, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Ambassador to Philippine Veteran Events, were well received by the attendees. MBDO thanks Rossier "Roger" Rogers, VFW Post 2485, Angeles City, for sharing his photos that were used for this presentation.
Col. McMahon, President, Maywood Bataan Day Organization (www.mbdo.org) was unable to attend this year's event in person. Col. Ralph F. Liebhaber, USAF (Ret), Veterans of Foreign Wars, Philippine, District 7 & Angeles City Post 2485, was kind enough to share his photos.
It was an honor to meet & converse with Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos & Former Tourism Secretary Dr. Mina T. Gabor.
Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) thanks Robert L. Hudson, Vice President, FAME (Filipino American Memorial Endowment) http://bataanson.blogspot.com, http://www.west-point.org/family/japanese-pow/BLR. htm, Consultant to & Member Bataan WW2 Museum, for these photos. MBDO also thanks MBDO Director Steve Gibson for creating this Gallery.
Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) thanks Deputy-Superintendent of the Pacific Bobby O. Bell, Manila American Cemetery, American Battle Monuments Commission, & Cemetery Staff for their support of Veterans Day 2017. MBDO commends Hermie Lelix, Cemetery Staff, who was nearby and acted immediately to restore the US Flag to honor after a US military member holding the Flag went down. Photos of Hermie's action follow photos of the Ceremony. MBDO Director Ed Brotonel & Anita Brotonel attended their first Veterans Day at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Ed recently retired from Active Duty with US Army. We hope they will attend future Veterans Days at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Colonel Richard A. McMahon, Jr., U.S. Army (Retired), President, Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) represented MBDO at this Ceremony Honoring All Who Served. MBDO thanks Embassy of the United States, Charge d' Affaires, a.i. Michael S. Klecheski & Staff & Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Superintendent Larry Adkison & Staff for Honoring All Who Served.
MBDO thanks: H.E. Philip S. Goldberg, US Ambassador to the Philippines, RimaAnn O. Nelson, Director, VA Manila Regional Office & Outpatient Clinic, for this wonderful ceremony. Reverend Kenneth D. Fuller for the Invocation. Larry Adkison, Superintendent, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, for the facility support of the ceremony. A special thanks to Hermie Lelix & Raquel Villamil for their support of the Proviso East High School Bataan Commemorative Research Project.
MBDO thanks: H.E. Philip S. Goldberg, US Ambassador to the Philippines, RimaAnn O. Nelson, Director, VA Manila Regional Office & Outpatient Clinic, for this wonderful ceremony. Larry Adkison, Superintendent, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, for the facility support of the ceremony. A special thanks to Hermie Lelix & April dela Virgen for their support of the Proviso East High School Bataan Commemorative Research Project.
Leslie Ann Murray, my good friend, provided transportation for photographer and me. She is official with American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AMCHAM), American Association of the Philippines (AAP), and Filipino American Memorial Endowment (FAME). FAME maintains the Bataan Death March Marker Program. MBDO is connected to Death March Markers at Km's 101 and 102. Km 102 Marker is at the historic San Fernando Train Station where the long walk of the Death March ended. Leslie has been a strong hand in the FAME program. Thanks also go to Melinda Hopson, Manager, Veterans Service Center, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, US Embassy, Manila, for her assistance with the photo captions.
Thanks to James T. Litton, my good friend & colleague, Manila Representative, Battling Bastards of Bataan (BBB) Organization for providing transportation. Col. McMahon met April dela Virgen, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial staff. April and Hermie Lelix have provided outstanding support to the Proviso East HS Bataan Commemorative Research Project by providing the grave and Tablets of the Missing photos seen at the end of soldier biographies.
Col. McMahon had the honor of meeting. Mrs. Beth Day Romulo, widow of General Carlos P. Romulo, see event photos. General Romulo was Ade-de-Camp to General MacArthur. Please visit HTTP://carlospromulo.org/BIO for his inspiring story.
It was an honor to meet Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and General Victor Ibrado, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was a pleasure to greet our dear friend, Hermie Lelix.
Col. McMahon meets US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney & Philippine Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita. Executive Secretary Ermita gave the Veterans Day Message.
Col. Richard A. McMahon, Jr. represented the Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) at this event. The testimonials by Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina, Administrator, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and Director Tracey A. Betts, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, were inspirational as was the address by the Guest of Honor, LtGen Edgardo E. Batenga, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (RET).
MBDO thanks the Technical Working Committee: Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Retiree Affairs, Hon. Eduardo D. Del Rosario, Executive Director, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Hon. Ludovico D. Badoy, Administrator, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), LTGEN Ernesto G. Carolina, AFP (RET) for a wonderful Ceremony. Col. McMahon greeted his friends, Rafael Evangelista & Heitrid Firmantes. Praise to MBDO's Photographer Jesse Sunga & Driver Jerwin Sunga.
Col. McMahon, President, Maywood Bataan Day Organization (www.mbdo.org) was unable to attend this year's event in person. Our good friend, Heitrid B. Firmantes, Veterans Memorial and Historical Division, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), was kind enough to share their photos from their Facebook page. Please visit https://mbdo.org/philippine-veterans-week-2016. If you want to see more, please visit them at Facebook. You can view the event program here.
Col. Richard A. McMahon, Jr., represented the Maywood Bataan Day Organization at this event honoring Philippine Veterans Week. Col. McMahon was honored to meet the Guest of Honor and Speaker, The Honorable Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino, IV, Senator, Republic of the Philippines.
Col. Richard A. McMahon, Jr., represented the Maywood Bataan Day Organization at this event honoring Philippine Veterans Week. Col. McMahon was honored to meet the Guest of Honor and Speaker, The Honorable Noel L. Villanueva, Representative, 3rd District of Tarlac.
Col. McMahon was honored to meet the Guest of Honor and Speaker, The Honorable Victor A. Yap, Governor, Province of Tarlac. Sofia Maria Estrada-Villarama, Great Granddaughter of Death March Survivor Col. Rafael Estrada, made a Tribute.
Col. McMahon had the honor of meeting Philippine President Aquino\'s aunt, Dr. Margarita D. Cojuangco, PH.D., a former Governor of Tarlac Province, see event photos. She was the Guest of Honor & Speaker at this event.
DND Secretary Gazmin\'s father, Capt. Segundo Gazmin, Sr., survived the Bataan Death March. He died a few years ago. His name is listed on the Wall of Heroes at the Capas National Shrine.
On behalf of the Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO), Colonel McMahon thanks: H.E. Benigno S. Aquino, III, President of the Philippines, for the 70th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing Commemoration on October 20, 2014; The Hon. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, Governor, Province of Leyte, for the Commemorative Luncheon on October 20, 2014; H.E. Bill Tweddell, Ambassador, Embassy of Australia, & Lieutenant Commander McPherson, Ship's Captain, for arranging the visit to HMAS Larrakia on October 18, 2014; Hon. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla , Governor, Province of Leyte, for Hill 120 wreath laying ceremony on October 19, 2014; Hon. Remedios "Matin" L. Petilla, Palo Municipal Mayor, for the Barrio Fiesta, A Tribute to Veterans. on October 19, 2014. Our special thanks to Joyce Hufton who arranged our tour and made it a memorable experience. To Jess Sunga, a fantastic photographer.
Maywood Bataan Day Organization's thanks go to former San Fernando Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez, current Mayor Edwin D. Santiago, City Vice-Mayor Jaime "Jimmy" T. Lazatin, and Tourism Director Ching Pangilian-Gonzales for preserving the very historic San Fernando Train Station so important in the tragic story of the Bataan Death March. My personal thanks go to my friend, Mason Al Kane, for transport to this wonderful event.
MBDO thanks go to San Fernando Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez & Tourism Director Ching Pangilinan-Gonzales for their hospitality. Great to Greet Mrs. Quiwa, widow of Col. Samuel Quiwa. Col. Quiwa was featured in our Bataan Day 2012 insert.
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Col. Samuel S. Quiwa (USAFFE), a hero in the fight in the Philippines. Mrs. Quiwa is featured, see event photos.
Col. McMahon (MBDO) meets Col.. Samuel S. Quiwa (USAFFE), a WWII hero, at this event.
The Maywood (IL) Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) praises the Boy Scouts of Troop 485, their leaders, and the leaders and members of VFW Post 2485, Angeles City, Philippines, for conducting an annual observance of the Bataan Death March. This tribute to the Heroes of the Bataan Campaign is appreciated by the Survivors and the Families of all that served in Bataan. A special thanks to VFW 7th District, Philippines Commander John Gilbert, VFW Post 2485, Angeles City Commander Carl Burke, and BSA Troop 485 Assistant Scoutmaster David Metherell for coordinating this wonderful event.
Thanks to VFW Post 2485, Angeles City & Commander John Gilbert for sponsoring the Bataan Death March Observance. Thanks to Boy Scouts of America Troop 485 & Assistant Scout Master David Metherell for their participation in this 72nd Anniversary Observance. A special note of thanks to James T. Litton, Manila Representative, Battling Bastards of Bataan (BBB), for his hard work in creating The Camp O'Donnell Memorial.
MBDO thanks go to Commander John Gilbert, VFW Post 2485, Angeles City, Philippines & Edna Bautista Binkowski, Guest Speaker & Author. Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC), Clark Freeport Zone, provided free transportation from the Post to the event.
VFW Post 2485, Angeles City, hosts their annual Bataan Death March Memorial Service, April 27, 2011.
