Distinguished guests; service members of the United States, the Philippines, and partner nations; veterans; families; and friends – thank you for joining us this morning as we gather on these sacred grounds to honor the fallen.
Today, we mark Memorial Day in a year of historic significance – the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Eight decades ago, Americans and Filipinos fought side-by-side across this country in a campaign to liberate the Philippines, restore freedom, and push back tyranny. Though they prevailed, many never returned home. Many rest here, and today, we honor them.
In the darkest hours of the Second World War, Americans and Filipinos fought together – from Bataan to Leyte, from the jungles of Luzon to the heart of Manila. They endured unimaginable hardships: hunger, captivity, and bitter combat – but together, they resisted. Together, they liberated. Together, they gave hope by defeating tyranny.
Nowhere is their shared sacrifice more evident than here, at the Manila American Cemetery, where more than 17,000 service members rest in solemn dignity. Over 36,000 more were never recovered and are listed on the walls of the missing. These heroes’ names are etched in stone – and in the foundation of our Alliance.
Each headstone tells a story of sacrifice. Stories like that of First Lieutenant Albert “Jack” Ellison, a paratrooper in the legendary 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division.
Known by his troops as “The Cowboy,” Jack Ellison was admired for his calm demeanor under fire and for a quiet strength that inspired those around him. In December 1944, during the fierce battles on Leyte, Jack led a daring counterattack that helped American and Filipino forces advance in their long march to liberate this land.
It was in February 1945, as the battle for Manila raged and Allied troops fought to seize Nichols Airfield, not far from where we stand, that Jack gave his last full measure of devotion. A platoon had been pinned down by relentless machine gun fire. Without hesitation, Jack volunteered to lead a relief force. He was caught in a crossfire and killed. He was 24 years old.
Jack lost his life on the very grounds that today are part of the U.S. Embassy’s Seafront compound. What was once the Manila Polo Club’s location is now a place where U.S. and Philippine ties continue to grow, a testament to the sacrifices made by those who came before us. His legacy is carved into a headstone and marks the foundation of our enduring partnership.
For his bravery, Jack Ellison was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His chaplain would later write to his grieving father, “He was extremely cool under fire… a gentleman in every sense of the word… his courage and bravery were beyond compare.”
Jack’s story reminds us why we observe Memorial Day. Today, we remember. We pause. We mourn. And above all, we honor those who gave everything so that others could live to enjoy freedom. Jack’s legacy reminds us that freedom is never free.
U.S.-Philippine sacrifices are not confined to the past. They echo in every flag raised, in every liberty defended, and in every act of unity between our two nations. The U.S.-Philippine Alliance, forged in war, lives on in peace. As we face the uncertainties of our modern world, we are reminded on this solemn day that our strength comes from the character of those willing to give everything in the name of something greater.
As we stand among these white marble markers, let us remember the fallen and renew our commitment to the ideals they served – duty, honor, country, and the unbreakable bond between the American and Filipino people. Let us remember them in silence or ceremony but also in how we live – in how we honor their legacy by upholding the values they died for: liberty, democracy, and peace.
And may we never forget the price they paid – here on these islands and across the world – so that others might live free. Thank you. Maraming salamat.|
