METRO MANILA | The American War Memorial

Saturday, February 27, 2010

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

The windswept crosses on the freshly mowed grasses of the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial stood proudly against the cloudless blue sky the afternoon I visited the iconic resting place of World War II Heroes in Fort Bonifacio. The place was generally empty but for a few tourists wandering around the place. 
The Chapel
The American Battle Monuments Commission erected the cemetery in 1960 for the American, Filipino and other Allied Nations that fought with the US Forces during the Battle of the Pacific during the early 40’s. There are a total of 17,206 marble headstones, making this the largest cemetery for the casualties of war built by the commission.


Upon entering its huge wrought iron gates, visitors are immediately greeted with a vast view of the central arcade. On both sides, immaculate white marble crosses stretch as far as the eyes can see. At its end stands a tall mosaic-finished chapel. On the chapel's sides run a circular colonnade composed by the Wall of the Missing. Rectangular Trani limestone piers line the corridor where theThe Wall of the Missing names of 36,282 missing soldiers are inscribed.

The 152-acre memorial is already a designated spot for the tourist route in Metro Manila. Its sprawling field is also a haven for bird watchers as its majestic trees and grassy fields have become home  to a variety of bird species.

The place is a pleasant area to ponder and contemplate things, with the environment and surroundings being real quiet. The whisper of the winds as it sweeps past the crosses and trees are the only perceivable sound you will hear. Even visitors, I reckon, feel the need to remain solemn as they respectfully pass by names upon names of war heroes that sacrificed their lives for freedom that our generation relishes.

A day at the memorial ends at five in the afternoon with a soldierly echo of a trumpet being sounded off as the Philippine and American flags are ceremoniously lowered down. The lengthening shadows of the crosses on the soft emerald grass and the sinking rays of the sun signalling the end of the visits for the day.  

Endless Crosses The Hemicycle Gate Inscription The Wall of the Missing
  
The Memorial opens from 9:00am to 5:00pm from Mondays to Sundays except on December 25 and January 1.

You Might Also Like

3 comments

  1. Nice article, thanks. I have read a good bit about the war in the South Pacific and it is nice to know that some of the who fought there are resting in such a beautiful place and being looked after someoen who cares.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice blog huh! Thanks for dropping by my blog. Will have you linked...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Mr.Anonymous and Ding!

    Anonymous
    The memorial is really really well maintained

    Ding
    Nice blog as well! =)

    ReplyDelete