LINGAYEN — The Australian embassy and the Pangasinan provincial government on Friday unveiled a commemorative plaque here to honor Australian World War II veterans who died during the battle between the Allied Forces and the Japanese Imperial Army in the Lingayen Gulf in 1945.

In a solemn ceremony, Les Kennedy, president of the Commemoration Committee of Victoria (Australia) said: “The Australian country had also played a very significant role during the 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 included HMAS Australia, Warrego, Warramunga, Arunta, Gascayone HDML 1074, Yusnan, Poyang, Merkur, Bishopdale, Cape Leeuwin and ML316, Benalla, Shorpshire, Karimbla, Menoora, and Westralia.

With this heroic act of the Australian and American soldiers along with Filipino veterans and guerillas, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said he was proud he constructrd the Veterans Memorial Park during his stint as provincial police director in 1994 under then Pres. Fidel V. Ramos, a war veteran himself.

On Jan. 9, 1995, the province celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings, which had been restaged every year in fitting rites since then.

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

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

“The Australian commemorative plaque serves as a recognition of the Filipinos to the Australian soldiers for their significant participation in liberating our country from the Japanese military. And because of the heroism and gallantry of the Australian and its people, we share with you this historical veterans memorial park,” Agabas said.
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