For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 19, 2004
60th Anniversary of Allied Landing on Leyte Island
Statement Commemorating the 60th Annivesary of the Allied Landing on Leyte Island's Shores
On October 20, we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the allied
landing on Leyte Island's shores, a pivotal moment in the history of
the War in the Pacific and in the human struggle for liberty. The
Leyte landing is a central event in the long history of friendship
between the peoples of the Philippines and the United States.
This year we are privileged that American, Filipino, and Australian
veterans once again stand on the very beach where they fought for the
liberation of the Philippines six decades ago. Many of those brave
allied soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice on these shores in the
cause of freedom. MacArthur, Osmena, Romulo, and all those heroes
commemorated in bronze on Leyte's shores were tenacious and brave.
Veterans of the Leyte landing: know that we will continue to
recognize this date as a day to draw renewed inspiration from your
courage and sacrifice in the cause of freedom. We will pass on to our
children what your great generation has passed to us: a world where
liberty is the right of all humankind, and where men and women will
remain vigilant in its defense.
# # #
|