Friday, June 13, 2014

MacArthur National Park, Leyte, Philippines

Apologies for posting so much today, photo #67 in the photo set linked earlier reminded me of these statues erected on the site of MacArthur's landing.


Did you know about these statues? I've known of them forever it seems, but I had no idea until today they are so large, darn near ozymandias. I always imagined them life-size, they appear to be double that. Clever and beautiful idea to mount them in water, don't you think? I also assumed they were mounted in the actual bay, but not so, they are in a separate adjacent pool. For stability, I suppose.

This is a very big deal in the Philippines, a 3-day holiday each year. Banks close, parades, the whole deal.

Japanese occupied the entire Philippines for nearly three years. It was essential to the Japanese war effort, essential for Americans and Australians to deprive them. It is a heartfelt tribute. I find it quite moving. 

I honestly believe this is the sort of thing our present CIC does not comprehend in its fullness. I honestly believe he is incapable of internalizing its importance and so what it means to be American. Otherwise, we would not see the cynicism we see in politicizing the lives of soldiers and airmen today.


I love how the people pose with the statues. This is what statues are for. That gets me. It does.

That early afternoon of October 20, 1944, MacArthur and his party must have indeed looked awe-inspiring and larger than life. Far more than a moment in history, it was a moment of intense human emotion and a promise fulfilled. Indeed, which Filipino has not heard of MacArthur’s immortal words of “I shall return?” With Filipinos and American troops sustaining heavy losses in the war with the Japanese during MacArthur’s absence of over two years, I can only imagine what must have been running through their minds and hearts when MacArthur set foot again on Philippine soil and helped them end the Japanese occupation.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/03/18/captured-blog-the-pacific-and-adjacent-theaters/#more-1547

http://iamtravelinglight.com/2013/08/07/history-and-leisure-at-macarthur-landing-memorial-park/

http://www.batch2006.com/visit_macarthur_park.htm

18 comments:

john said...

That's a huge statue. That's apparently why it took so long to make it.

john said...

And they'll never have that recipe again.

Trooper York said...

What great photo's Chip.

By the way Shouting Thomas just called. Those ladies in the photos.....errr....did you get any digits?

Trooper York said...

And you can never post too much buddy.

You are a breath of fresh air.

Trooper York said...

And you can never post too much buddy.

You are a breath of fresh air.

Shouting Thomas said...

... did you get any digits?

I was wondering the same thing.

That pic of the ladies dwarfed by the statues is classic Flip humor.

Fr Martin Fox said...

It seems that there are many French -- despite what you hear -- who remember and are grateful for what the Americans did.

I'm assuming the same is true for Filipinos.

bagoh20 said...

In a word: exceptionalistic.

Shouting Thomas said...

Yes, Fr. Fox, Filipinos are in general very grateful for the role the U.S. played in their liberation.

Fr Martin Fox said...

ST:

I'd like to go there. I'd like to go everywhere where my kindred acted with heroism and courage.

There are too many places to go.

And now I'm thinking about Iraq. D***.

Fr Martin Fox said...

"My kindred." My nation. My people. Those men and woman who swear the oath. Who defend us. Whoever they are. Whatever they look like. They are my people.

Our people.

edutcher said...

The Filipinos lost a million people (out of a population of 17 mil) in WWII.

They had given up on Roosevelt, but knew MacArthur would come back, he was one of them, the Philippines was home to him.

There was a time when the Philippines might have been bypassed. CNO Ernie King wanted a landing in southern Formosa (all Navy and Marines) with a secondary landing at Amoy on the Chinese mainland and, for a time it looked as if that was the best way. As time passed and detailed estimates were made, it became obvious Formosa and Amoy would be a much tougher nut to crack than the Navy set forth.

When Roosevelt met with Nimitz and MacArthur in July '44 to settle the matter, when asked, "Where do we go from here, Douglas?", MacArthur replied, "Leyte, Mr. President, and then Luzon". He intended to bypass Mindanao to surprise the Japanese and get as close to Manila as possible on the first jump. In this, he was supported by Bill Halsey whose raids proved the wall around the islands was less formidable than anyone thought.

The walk from the landing craft was forced by an impatient Navy beachmaster trying to keep the way clear for incoming landing craft. "Let 'em walk", and gave MacArthur what he later called the most meaningful walk of his life.

Leyte was the Normandy of the Pacific, the biggest landing (the entire Pacific fleet was there) and the largest troop commitment, 19 divisions. From there he went to Luzon, to fight the climactic battle of the campaign.

MacArthur was also eventually required to liberate Mindanao and the rest of the southern Philippines after news of Japanese atrocities.

How revered is Douglas MacArthur in the islands? At every morning formation in the Filipino army, when the roll is called, the last name is always Douglas MacArthur and it is a great honor to be chosen the soldier who answers, "Present, in spirit".

PS The Tacloban area was devastated by the typhoon that hit the Philippines; all but MacArthur National Park.

Shouting Thomas said...

Am I paranoid, or is the Obama admin, in its lame duck years, deliberately plunging the U.S. into chaos so as to hasten the revolution?

edutcher said...

Old Greek proverb (which the Choom Gang probably never heard), "Be careful of that for which you wish. You may get it".

rcocean said...

Great post. I'd love to go to the Pacific islands and the Philippines and see the old battlefields.

rcocean said...

BTW, the man on the left was the President of the Philippines.

Guildofcannonballs said...

I think anything I add would detract.

I'm going to Oliver's too.

Guildofcannonballs said...

Maybe there is a ton of wisdom regarding Islam's tenant dogs aren't necessaryily good, if the grammar/hygiene be right?

I care not for those beliefs as much as I love Barnett.

Like TiTus loves his dog.

Who separated us; how?

And; when can I se whom without appearing the impotent grifter I am?