It was a perfect day to be back and remember America’s fallen soldiers in Bamban area during Memorial Day at the American Cemetery and Memorial!
To further give importance to the ceremony, we brought the portraits of the following American officers and enlisted men who died in Bamban area in WWII:
a. Lt. Col. Claude A. Thorpe (26th Cav) b. Maj. Havelock Nelson (194th Tank Bn) c. 2nd Lt. James H. Hart (194th Tank Bn) d. S/Sgt. Eugene Zingheim (194th Tank Bn) e. S/Sgt. Hayden Lawrence f. f. Maj. Norman E. Thrall (40th Division)
Various personalities in the American and Philippine Governments were present, to include U. S. Ambassador Marykay L. Carlson, USEC. Reynaldo B. Mapagu (PVAO), Brig. Gen. Resty Aguilar (PVAO), Dr. Rico Jose (foremost WWII Historian), Mrs. Desiree Benipayo Cua (historian and Philippine WWII Memorial Foundation), and Mrs. Marie Vallejo (historian and author).
May the Memory Day be meaningful with the honor and recognition of the officers and men who died on Bamban area, exemplified with the bringing of portraits in the event venue.
Our special thanks to Gerald Randy Anderson, Sr. and Mike Ward for helping us in sending delegation for the event.
