Vets Salute 61st ‘Attack Day’
October 28, 2005
SAN FRANCISCO –– From the pageantry of dress uniform veterans and soldiers, to the dignity of the famed “Filipino veterans,” to the inspirational renditions of both the United States’ and Philippines’ national anthem, approximately 400 people gathered at San Francisco’s War Memorial Building, on October 20, to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the liberation of the Philippines from Japan by American and Filipino forces during World War II.
Commonly known as A-Day, a term coined by General Douglas MacArthur as an abbreviation for “Attack Day,” the successful assault on the Filipino peninsula of Leyte marked the beginning of the end of Japanese military control of Asia. The Leyte campaign fulfilled MacArthur’s promise of “I shall return,” when he was forced to leave the Philippines two years earlier.
The commemoration, which was organized primarily by the American Legion War Memorial Commission, drew much support from a vast collection of veteran and Filipino groups, such as the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Federation of Filipino American Association and a large number of American Legion Posts.
With emcee responsibilities shared between retired General J. Michael Myatt and Public Relations Director for the Commission Rudy Asercion, the gathered assemblage sat in silence as a greeting from President George Bush read, “ … The Philippines hold a special place in our Nation’s history because of the important role these islands played in the Allied victory in the Pacific. … We remember the brave Americans and Filipinos who fought side-by-side in the Battle of Leyte. … These proud patriots continue to inspire us today as we work to extend the blessings of liberty around the world.”
Among the many dignitaries who attended were Philippine Consul General Rowena Sanchez, Hong Chan from Governor Schwarzenegger’s office, Commissioner Vellie Deitrich-Hall of the President’s Advisory Board on AAPI Initiatives and representatives from local municipalities. Assemblyman Leland Yee also presented the California Assembly’s congratulations as one of the keynote speakers.
“This event has so much significance for us today in America,” said Asercion, “not only does it mark a milestone in world history, in fact the Leyte invasion was actually larger than Normandy, but it also serves as a … lesson for those who were not alive during this time. … [T]his day allows us to go forward in a spirit of reconciliation. The war happened and it was unfortunate, but we must all cooperate, deal with the past and move forward.”
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