Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Several years my wife Beng and I visited the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial here in the Philippines, the Memorial occupies 152 acres on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. It contains the largest number of graves of the military dead of World War II, a total of 17,202, most of whom lost their lives in operations in New Guinea and the Philippines. The headstones are aligned in 11 plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery. The Manila American Cemetery is located in the Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila, within the boundaries of the former Fort William McKinley. It can be reached most easily from the city by taxi or automobile via Epifano de los Santos Ave. (EDSA) to McKinley Road, then to McKinley Parkway inside the Global City. The Nichols Field Road is the easiest access from Manila International Airport to the cemetery. The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitor Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites. Personally I found the American Cemetery and Memorial well taken care of and maintained for the final resting place for America’s fallen. As trials and oppressions come our way, better not mind the thing that depresses you, because it only makes you weak inside and out. There are a lot of things you can give your time into. Do not get stuck with the things that ruin your day. Start your week in a good mood. May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
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