Australian war heroes, veterans honored in Lingayen rites

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – The Australian embassy and the provincial government led by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. jointly honored Australian World War II heroes who died during the fierce land, sea and air battle between Allied Forces led by American troops and the Japanese Imperial Army in Lingayen Gulf in January 1945.

In a solemn and sentimental unveiling ceremony of the Australian commemorative plaque last Feb. 20 at the Veterans Park inside the provincial capitol compound here, Les Kennedy, president of the Commemoration Committee of Victoria, said Australia played a “very significant role during World War II, as we, too, sacrificed our lives to help the American troops led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in liberating Luzon from the Japanese forces.”

Kennedy said members of the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force took part in the Philippine liberation where four in a fleet of 15 Australian warships figured in the big naval action of the liberation campaign.

The warships were the HMAS Australia, Warrego, Warramunga, Arunta, Gascayone, HDML 1074, Yusnan, Poyang, Merkur, Bishopdale, Cape Leeuwin, ML316, Benalla, Shorpshire, Karimbla, Menoora, and Westralia.

With this heroic act of the Australian and American soldiers along with Filipino soldiers and guerrillas, Espino said he took pride in helping construct the Veterans Memorial Park during his stint as provincial police director in 1994 under then President Fidel Ramos, himself a war veteran.

On Jan. 9, 1995, the province celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings, re-enacted this year during the 64th anniversary rites.

Espino urged the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Malacañang to declare Jan. 9 Pangasinan Veterans’ Day, a special non-working holiday province-wide.   

“We owe you so much. The Australian government and I hope the next generation will come to know the friendship between the Filipino and Australian soldiers during wartime,” he said.

Espino also asked the Australian embassy to furnish his province with pictures and specifications of the Australian warships so that “we can make a miniature and place it here in our Veterans Park.” 

Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas welcomed the Australian delegation composed of Kennedy, Lt. Col. Gary Barnes, assistant defense attaché of the Australian embassy, and Australian Navy veterans led by George Rappell and their spouses.

Also present during the unveiling rites were Pangasinan Veterans Federation district commanders, provincial board members Alfonso Bince, Von Mark Mendoza and Jeremy Rosario, provincial department heads and police officials.