Embassy of the United States in Manila

AMBASSADOR FRANCIS J. RICCIARDONE
REMARKS
ON THE 60 TH COMMEMORATION OF
THE FLAG RAISING
AT THE U.S. EMBASSY
FEBRUARY 22, 2005

Secretary Durano, Senator Gordon, Senator Magsayay, Mayor Atienza, honored veterans, members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests…

Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. Thank you all for joining us today to keep alive the sacred memory of the bravery and sacrifices of so many Filipinos, Americans, and our allies, in one of the most deadly battles of human history.

Six decades ago, as the battle for Manila was still raging, General Douglas MacArthur raised the flag here on the war-ravaged grounds of what was then the American High Commission. Fierce fighting for control of the compound had just ended the day before. Immediately next to us, American and Japanese troops continued a floor-by-floor, room-by-room battle for the Manila Hotel, MacArthur’s former home. The city he once loved so much, and where he had spent so much of his adult life, was aflame and in ruins.

Yet, amidst all that violence, MacArthur paused to conduct a short ceremony, similar to the one we have just held. He did this knowing that a little over three years before, on January 2, 1942 the four remaining officials of the American High Commission -- George Gray, Elise Flahaven, Margaret Pierce, and Virginia Hewlett -- had carefully removed a flag from this same flagpole, burned it, and then buried its ashes in the back garden to prevent it from falling into the hands of the invaders.

By raising the colors again amidst the ruins of the once-beautiful Commissioner’s residence, MacArthur paid tribute to the courage of all those Filipinos and the allied prisoners who had endured the brutal occupation, and to the values which they never abandoned: duty, patriotism, and honor. As they had kept the faith in the darkest of hours, so did he.

MacArthur knew the heroism, the loyalty, and the sacrifices of the Filipino people. He knew that Brigadier General Vincente Lim, the first Filipino graduate of West Point and commander of the 41 st Division -- “The Rock of Bataan” -- had given his life for his homeland. On Thursday we will commemorate the martyrdom of General Lim at his monument just a little farther down Roxas Boulevard. MacArthur knew, too, that Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos was executed for refusing to swear allegiance to the Japanese flag. The allied liberators witnessed the horrible murders of so many civilians of this great city, at the hands of war criminals who defied their own high commander’s order to withdraw from the city in peace.

On the 60 th anniversary of the Battle for Manila, let us take a moment to rededicate ourselves: Americans, Filipinos, our World War II allies, and our newer allies -- formerly our bitter adversaries -- to renew our commitment to the cause of freedom for our own countries, and for all humankind.

Let us honor those who shed their blood, 60 Februaries ago, and who fought so hard so that we might remain free. And let us honor them especially by rededicating ourselves to passing on to our children, as they passed on to us, a world that is more secure and more free than the one they inherited.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, at mabuhay.

* * * * *


AMBASSADOR FRANCIS J. RICCIARDONE REMARKS ON THE 60 TH COMMEMORATION OF THE FLAG RAISING AT THE U.S. EMBASSY FEBRUARY 22, 2005 Secretary Durano, Senator Gordon, Senator Magsayay, Mayor Atienza, honored veterans, members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests… Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. Thank you all for joining us today to keep alive the sacred memory of the bravery and sacrifices of so many Filipinos, Americans, and our allies, in one of the most deadly battles of human history. Six decades ago, as the battle for Manila was still raging, General Douglas MacArthur raised the flag here on the war-ravaged grounds of what was then the American High Commission. Fierce fighting for control of the compound had just ended the day before. Immediately next to us, American and Japanese troops continued a floor-by-floor, room-by-room battle for the Manila Hotel, MacArthur’s former home. The city he once loved so much, and where he had spent so much of his adult life, was aflame and in ruins. Yet, amidst all that violence, MacArthur paused to conduct a short ceremony, similar to the one we have just held. He did this knowing that a little over three years before, on January 2, 1942 the four remaining officials of the American High Commission -- George Gray, Elise Flahaven, Margaret Pierce, and Virginia Hewlett -- had carefully removed a flag from this same flagpole, burned it, and then buried its ashes in the back garden to prevent it from falling into the hands of the invaders. By raising the colors again amidst the ruins of the once-beautiful Commissioner’s residence, MacArthur paid tribute to the courage of all those Filipinos and the allied prisoners who had endured the brutal occupation, and to the values which they never abandoned: duty, patriotism, and honor. As they had kept the faith in the darkest of hours, so did he. MacArthur knew the heroism, the loyalty, and the sacrifices of the Filipino people. He knew that Brigadier General Vincente Lim, the first Filipino graduate of West Point and commander of the 41 st Division -- “The Rock of Bataan” -- had given his life for his homeland. On Thursday we will commemorate the martyrdom of General Lim at his monument just a little farther down Roxas Boulevard. MacArthur knew, too, that Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos was executed for refusing to swear allegiance to the Japanese flag. The allied liberators witnessed the horrible murders of so many civilians of this great city, at the hands of war criminals who defied their own high commander’s order to withdraw from the city in peace. On the 60 th anniversary of the Battle for Manila, let us take a moment to rededicate ourselves: Americans, Filipinos, our World War II allies, and our newer allies -- formerly our bitter adversaries -- to renew our commitment to the cause of freedom for our own countries, and for all humankind. Let us honor those who shed their blood, 60 Februaries ago, and who fought so hard so that we might remain free. And let us honor them especially by rededicating ourselves to passing on to our children, as they passed on to us, a world that is more secure and more free than the one they inherited. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, at mabuhay. * * * * *
	Last Update :: 01/05/2007
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