US honors Filipino, American veterans

MANILA, Philippines —  The United States honored yesterday Filipino and American veterans during a ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery in Taguig.

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson led the Veterans Day ceremony to pay tribute to American and Filipino military service members, both living and deceased, and remember their contributions to freedom and democracy.

“We honor American and Filipino servicemen 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,” Carlson said.

“Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II – 80 years since the Philippine and US forces, shoulder to shoulder, succeeded in their fight to defend freedom and liberate the Philippines,” she added.

Even before the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, Carlson said the Philippines and US had “fought together side by side.”