My warmest felicitations to the officers and
members of the Bataan-Corregidor Foundation of
New Mexico and to the citizens and local
officials of Albuquerque City, New Mexico, USA
on the occasion of the formal dedication of the
Bataan Park Memorial to the 1,800 men of New
Mexico who fought in the defense of the
Philippines during World War II.
Today, which also marks the 60th Anniversary of
the surrender of allied defenses in the
Philippines, I join our people and the citizens
of Albuquerque City in honoring the heroism of
the soldiers of the 200th and 515th Coastal
Artillery Units who fought for our country. We
honor those who fought alongside our own
Filipino soldiers in Bataan and Corregidor, and
those who suffered in the Bataan Death March.
Many of them died so that we, the future
generations of Filipinos, may live to enjoy the
blessings of freedom and peace.
The ties that bind the people of the Philippines
and the citizens of Albuquerque, New Mexico, are
now stronger than ever. On behalf of the
Filipino people, I give thanks and pay tribute
to the gallantry of these 1,800 American
soldiers from New Mexico. Let their heroism and
sacrifices serve as an inspiration in our
current battle to win the war against poverty
and terrorism in these times.
More power and MABUHAY!
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
MANILA
April 7, 2002
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