Philippines, U.S. and allies recall 1945
Allied Forces’ landing in Lingayen Gulf

 

(Photo above:)Ambassador Francis Ricciardone (second, left) and Philippine Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon (right) listen as former Philippine President Fidel Ramos (second, right) and American World War II veteran and Purple Heart awardee Jay Gruenfeld (left) exchange notes on World War II during a January 9, 2004 program commemorating the 60th anniversary of landing of the Allied Forces in Lingayen Beach, Pangasinan.
“Despite the allied victories so many years ago,” Ambassador Ricciardone said in his remarks, “some peoples of the world remain victims of tyranny. We must remain firm today against the scourge of terrorism and the propagation of ignorance and hate which sustain terrorism. We must remain firm against corruption and those who seek the subversion of the rule of law. …Today as 60 years ago, the United States stands as a committed partner with the Philippines in all these missions – the cause of freedom.” Related links: -- Ambassador Ricciardone’s remarks on the 60th anniversary of the Leyte Landing -- Historic Photos of Lingayen Landing, from U.S. Congressman Henry J. Hyde
	WWII veterans of the Lingayen battle and representatives of various governments, including Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki (right, top photo)attended the program.
	(Above:) Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim shows Ambassador Ricciardone a marker commemorating the landing of U.S. forces in the province in 1945. (Left:) A school building in Dagupan City that served as the temporary headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the liberation of Lingayen from the Japanese army.

 

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