Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Philippine Star
March 1, 2008 By James Mananghaya
CAPAS, Tarlac – Specialist Jacob Hinojos of the 2nd Battalion, 200th Infantry, New Mexico National Guard was teary-eyed as Filipino World War II veteran Col. Rafael Estrada recounted their ordeal in the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army during their imprisonment at a concentration camp here after the Fall of Bataan in 1942.
Hinojos’ uncle, the late Fausto Noche, was a survivor of the dreadful Death March, and was taken as a prisoner of war (POW) by the Japanese, enduring a great deal of physical and emotional hardships while in captivity.
Two units from the New Mexico National Guard (NMNG) – the 200th and 515th Coastal Artillery – fought but lost while defending Bataan and Corregidor against the Japanese invaders.
“Visiting the Capas concentration camp, where a memorial shrine now stands in honor of the 26,000 allied soldiers who died here, is a very humbling experience, being able to remember those who unselfishly laid down their lives in the name of freedom and democracy,” Hinojos said.
“This shrine is sacred ground for us. We are humbled to have the opportunity of paying tribute to those who died during the war,” he told The STAR after a wreath-laying ceremony here.
Hinojos was with about 90 members of the NMNG who retraced the history of their unit, which was involved in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor during World War II.
It was the first time in 66 years that a unit from the NMNG returned to the Philippines, this time taking part in the joint US-RP military exercises dubbed Balikatan 2008.
Lt. Col. Mark Arellano, Hinojos’ commanding officer, said they immediately retraced the historic march from Mariveles, Bataan to this concentration camp upon their arrival in the Philippines.
He said yesterday’s ceremony gave them an opportunity to look back at the glorious past of both countries, who have fought shoulder to shoulder for peace.
“I think the first Balikatan started in 1942,” he said, explaining that it was during World War II when American and Filipino soldiers fought alongside each other as true comrades.
Arellano said presently, there are about 60 surviving members of the 200th and 515th CA all over the US. Twenty-one of them live in New Mexico.
In an emotional speech that moved the crowd to tears, Estrada told the soldiers, whose relatives belonged to the NMNG, to send his love to their fathers, grandfathers and uncles when they return home.
“Please send our love to them. They will always be remembered. They are our brothers, they are our friends,” he said.
Struggling to hold back tears, an emotional Estrada recounted their ordeal inside the concentration camp, having scarce supply of food and drinking water.
“I can’t help but look back at how your soldiers suffered here, tired, hungry soldiers who held their ground,” he said.
March 1, 2008 By James Mananghaya
CAPAS, Tarlac – Specialist Jacob Hinojos of the 2nd Battalion, 200th Infantry, New Mexico National Guard was teary-eyed as Filipino World War II veteran Col. Rafael Estrada recounted their ordeal in the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army during their imprisonment at a concentration camp here after the Fall of Bataan in 1942.
Hinojos’ uncle, the late Fausto Noche, was a survivor of the dreadful Death March, and was taken as a prisoner of war (POW) by the Japanese, enduring a great deal of physical and emotional hardships while in captivity.
Two units from the New Mexico National Guard (NMNG) – the 200th and 515th Coastal Artillery – fought but lost while defending Bataan and Corregidor against the Japanese invaders.
“Visiting the Capas concentration camp, where a memorial shrine now stands in honor of the 26,000 allied soldiers who died here, is a very humbling experience, being able to remember those who unselfishly laid down their lives in the name of freedom and democracy,” Hinojos said.
“This shrine is sacred ground for us. We are humbled to have the opportunity of paying tribute to those who died during the war,” he told The STAR after a wreath-laying ceremony here.
Hinojos was with about 90 members of the NMNG who retraced the history of their unit, which was involved in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor during World War II.
It was the first time in 66 years that a unit from the NMNG returned to the Philippines, this time taking part in the joint US-RP military exercises dubbed Balikatan 2008.
Lt. Col. Mark Arellano, Hinojos’ commanding officer, said they immediately retraced the historic march from Mariveles, Bataan to this concentration camp upon their arrival in the Philippines.
He said yesterday’s ceremony gave them an opportunity to look back at the glorious past of both countries, who have fought shoulder to shoulder for peace.
“I think the first Balikatan started in 1942,” he said, explaining that it was during World War II when American and Filipino soldiers fought alongside each other as true comrades.
Arellano said presently, there are about 60 surviving members of the 200th and 515th CA all over the US. Twenty-one of them live in New Mexico.
In an emotional speech that moved the crowd to tears, Estrada told the soldiers, whose relatives belonged to the NMNG, to send his love to their fathers, grandfathers and uncles when they return home.
“Please send our love to them. They will always be remembered. They are our brothers, they are our friends,” he said.
Struggling to hold back tears, an emotional Estrada recounted their ordeal inside the concentration camp, having scarce supply of food and drinking water.
“I can’t help but look back at how your soldiers suffered here, tired, hungry soldiers who held their ground,” he said.