Freedom is never free – US embassy official

MANILA, Philippines — People who died while serving their country is a reminder that “freedom is never free,” a US official said.

In his remarks during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery yesterday, US embassy chargé d’affaires Robert Ewing said the more than 17,000 American and Filipino service members whose names are inscribed in memorial tablets at the cemetery represent lives cut short but never forgotten.

“Today, we honor them not only with words, but with remembrance; not only with ceremony, but with our continued commitment to the ideals for which they gave their lives. May we never forget,” he said.

The observance of Memorial Day this year honored those who gave their lives in service to their country, he said, as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence and the US and the Philippines commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations.

The two nations are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty.

“Much has changed in our world since they were laid to rest,” Ewing said. “But here, something essential endures. We still stand shoulder to shoulder. We see that enduring bond in action today.”

The US and the Philippines recently concluded the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan, the largest and most expansive in its history, bringing together approximately 17,000 personnel from the two nations alongside partners from Australia, Canada, France, Japan and New Zealand.

“Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to our ironclad alliance,” he added.

Ewing said the search continues for prisoners of war and those missing.

In partnership with the National Museum of the Philippines and other US government agencies, divers have begun searching the wreck of the Japanese hellship Oryoku Maru to recover within her hull those still missing.

Ewing said “this work is painstaking and difficult. But the fallen are never forgotten and the missing are never abandoned.”