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| Supt Adkison & Assist Supt Calaoud greet guests. |
The Manila American Cemetery staff Larry Adkison and Hubert Caloud greet guests and dignitaries as they arrive at the
memorial. Staff members Hermie Lelix and Odette Velasco also greeted the crowd with their pleasant Filipino smiles
and warm personalitites insuring all would be comfortable despite the hot weather. Staff and employes arrived very early to decorate
the memorial with flags of Philippines and the United States.
Trimmed, polished and groomed, the Manila American Cemetery appeared fit for the Masters Golf Tournament. The shrine
was primed for dignitaries and guests to honor America's fallen servicemen, ones that made a Supreme Sacrifice in the
Southwest Pacific during World War II.
A larger that usual crowd gathered under temporary shelters to escape the humid morning temperatures as the Philippine
Army Band played patriotic songs and set the mood for the remembrance.
Colors of the two countries were presented by the Philippine Army and the United States Marine Corps of the U.S. Embassy
in the Philippines.
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| Rev. Kenneth Fuller - 11th Airborne |
Reverend Kenneth Fuller of the 11th Airborne and World War II defender of Fort McKinley fought on the land that is now
the Manila American Cemetery. Rev. Fuller, who has ties to Crown Point, Indiana and Northwest Ohio, led the involcation.
Praising the opportunity to celebrate lost comrades, he warned to never forget the Supreme Sacrifices they made.
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| Mr. Robert F. Lane |
Robert F. Lane of Manila served as Master of Ceremonies.
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| Ambassador Kenney presents floral offering. |
Ambassador Kristie Kenney, presents the floral offering of the Embassy of the United States of America.
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| GenHermogenes C. Esperon Jr presents wreath. |
Chief of Staff, General Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. presents the floral offering from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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| Floral Offerings. |
Representatives of Civic, Military and Veteran Organization present floral offerings.
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| Ambassador Kenney |
Ambassador Kristie Kenney presents her Memorial Day message to those in attendance.
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| Gen Esperone delivers his Memorial Day message. |
General Hermogenes C. Esperone Jr. delivers his Memorial Day message. The Philippine Army Band presented another
music sellection, memorial prayer by Rev. Kenneth Fuller, a ceremonial gun salute and Taps. The colors were then retired and
Mr. Robert F. Lane gave closing remarks.
Those in attendance were invited by Ambassador Kenney to join her having refreshments behind the chapel. Kenney
expressed to AWON members how pleased that members had journeyed to the Philippines to pay respect to fathers they did not
know that were honored on the Tablets of the Missing or buried at the memorial. AWON members enjoyed the royal treatment
and smiled in approval as the ambassador posed for photographs with them.
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| Ambassador Kenney greets members of AWON. |
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| Barbara Bardes and AWON floral presentation. |
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