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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 2, 2017 15:17:40 GMT 8
Church Bells of Balangiga in Samar Something terrible happen in Balangiga, Samar in 1901. Where are the Church Bells? Co C of the US 9th Infantry in 1901 (about 70+ men) was ambushed at breakfast while away from their arms by the Filipino resistance fighters armed mostly with bolos. The attackers came mostly from the church on signal of the church bells. They suffered 40+ KIA and many WIA. Some of the Fallen were terrible mutilated. The survivors managed to escape and a reaction force returned and retaliated in kind. The town and church was burned and the church bells ended up in the U.S.A. Za340. Two of the Balangiga Bells on F. E. Warren Air Force Base. Photo credit: John Johnson. This picture was shot at the bottom of the flagpole on the F. E. Warren Air Force Base. Two of the Balangiga Bells are displayed here on F. E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB) located in Cheyenne Wyoming. One more bell is located in Korea with an US Army unit there. Photo credit: John Johnson, he is a veteran, works at the VA Hospital at Ft William Henry Harrison in Helena, Montana. Za339. The Balangiga Bells are part of the Trophy Park. This picture of this plaque was shot at the bottom of the flagpole on the F. E. Warren Air Force Base. This flagpole area is called the Trophy Park. Two of the Balangiga Bells are displayed here on F. E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB) located in Cheyenne Wyoming. One more bell is located in Korea with an US Army unit there. Photo credit: John Johnson, he is a veteran, works at the VA Hospital at Ft William Henry Harrison in Helena, Montana. These pictures and information came from the thread URL: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1797/origins-spanish-flagpole-corregidor-myth?page=2I am a resident in the Philippines and a student of US Philippine and American History and got aware how important this matter is to the Filipinos! That the bells are still in American hands is a heavy friction point in the relations of these two countries. This year the Philippine President asked the United States at his annual State of Nation Address, with our U.S. Ambassador present, for the return of the Bells. The US Ambassador and many other Americans believe it is high time and very important that the bells are returned to the Philippines. If you look in internet you will see it is a hot and current point of conversation! Please educate yourself about this matter. In the future I will present more information about these Bells, what has happened and is happening in Balangiga. There is an effort by many parties to help in the process to get the Balangiga Bells returned.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 3, 2017 19:58:44 GMT 8
Report from Balangiga in 2016 Za341. Steve Mironchik and spouse in the San Bernardino Strait in 2014. Steve Mironchik and I were Navy Deep Sea Divers and were stationed together in Subic Bay. He lives now in Samar and my family resides on the northern shores of the San Bernardino Strait some of the time. He is visiting me and we share the same interest and we talked about Balangiga and other history. This picture also represents how the people get around in this island world. Za342. Steve Mironchik comments about his visit to Balangiga. Steve Mironchik visited Balangiga in 2016 and posted pictures on Facebook. This was his description when he posted the pictures. Za343. Steve Mironchik entry in Facebook about his visit to Balangiga Steve Mironchik visited Balangiga in 2016 and posted pictures on Facebook. This was the lead entry in Facebook Za344. The Native Attack Recreation in Balangiga. This seems to be a visual recreation about the Filipino Attack on the Americans eating breakfast at tables. There seems to be a church tower, the church door and Filipino bursting out of it. Photo credit: Steve Mironchik entry in Facebook about his visit to Balangiga in 2016. Za345. Steve Mironchik is standing in front of the Balangiga Attack Recreation. This is not Steve’s Sunday church attire; he is riding his big motorbike when cruising thru the Philippines. This seems to be a visual recreation about the Filipino Attack on the Americans eating breakfast at tables. There seems to be a church tower, the church door and Filipino bursting out of it. Photo credit: Steve Mironchik entry in Facebook about his visit to Balangiga in 2016. Za346. Balangiga Casualty List from the Philippine Attack. That is unique and good history to have the casualty list for both sides. If you look at it close, the Philippine casual list is also substantial. The casualties of the retaliation next day are not listed and maybe are not exactly known, perhaps. Za347. Philippine National Historical Plaque of the Balangiga Battle Event. I cannot make it out; it was either put here in 1962 or 1982. This plaque remembers the Balangiga battle event in 1901. Za348. Steve Mironchik in Balangiga and friendly young residents. President Roosevelt declared the Philippine-American War over in 1902. Our countries had a close relationship ever since. People who visit the Philippines must have seen this view countless times. Most Filipinos are very friendly.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 3, 2017 20:45:16 GMT 8
How you can help to return the Balangiga Bells to the Philippines. There is a problem in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). A local U.S. business man and concerned citizen wrote this and urges us to contact our congressional Representatives and Senators! Congress is working to pass the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This is a huge bill. The NDAA is the primary way in which Congress executes its Article 1 constitutional obligation to “provide for the common defense.” More than that, the NDAA equips, supplies, and trains our troops; cares for them and their families; and sets national security policy in a dangerous world. It is massive. However, embedded in prior years NDAAs, is a small provision inserted by the Wyoming congressional delegation that heretofore no one ever gave much thought to. Back in the 2000 timeframe, the Wyoming congressional delegation successfully inserted a small provision that prohibited the return of “Veteran Memorial Objects” brought to the US from foreign shores with the singular purpose of preventing the return of the two bells on Warren AFB - - without even mentioning bells. This well-crafted, and seemingly innocuous language, was sponsored and inserted by former Wyoming Senator Thomas. It flew under the radar so to speak, and no one took exception at that time because few were even aware of it, and fewer still understood the facts and circumstances surrounding the bells, how they were taken and their history. This provision is set to expire September 30, 2017. Hence the 2018 NDAA is a work in progress. (Note: in 1998, former Wyoming Governor Stan Hathaway (1967-1975) wrote to Senator Thomas arguing that it was wrong to keep the bells, please see attached). As the bill moves toward becoming law, each body of Congress submits its version. The two committees that are principally responsible for the NDAA are the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). Hence the individuals who have the most influence are the members of the HASC and SASC. A listing and pictorial matrix of the members on both the House and Senate Armed Services Committee is included below for your convenience such you can reach out and contact them. Congresswoman Cheney from Wyoming reinserted the restrictive provision first offered by Senator Thomas into the House version of the bill. Thanks to our team of concerned veterans, diplomats and friends, and with the support of Senators McCain, Reed and others, the provision was excluded from the Senate version. The bill now must be reconciled through bicameral negotiations in joint conference. This is where we need your help. The House version perpetuates the provision, the Senate version does not. We need to make sure the joint conference removes the provision from the House version. Members of our Bells of San Lorenzo team in Washington will be reaching out to key members of both the HASC and SASC, including both Chairmen and Ranking Members, as well as others, to make sure the House provision IS NOT perpetuated and included in NDAA 2018. The members who will have the biggest impact on the final version of the bill are the joint conferees themselves. They will be mainly drawn from the HASC/SASC members, with some additional committees called on to conference specific provisions. For example, perhaps from Foreign Affairs, who may be drawn on for comment/opinions. But ultimately the members who matter most are members of the HASC and SASC and their respective party and chamber leaders, the so-called "Big 4" - the HASC and SASC Chairmen and Ranking Members. They will decide what is in the final bill. This is where we need your help - - and it is simple and easy thing to do. Many of you have already contacted your elected officials. I want to ask you to once again, this week, send emails to members of the HASC and SASC, especially if one of the members below represent your state or district, as they do listen to their constituents. But it must be timely, as it is now that they are negotiating and reconciling the Senate and House versions. It is easy, just google the names of your elected representatives to find their official web site. For your convenience, the members of the HASC/SASC are listed by party and state below. Find the “CONTACT” link on their web site and send them a quick email. It is that simple. You don’t have to be overly articulate or elaborate or worry about format or formalities. Just convey to them that you care and want their support. Something as simple as the below is more than adequate. Please take the few minutes it will take to send them an email, something like this: Dear Senator/Congressman: There is a provision, sponsored by the Wyoming delegation, embedded in the House version of the NDAA that would preclude return of two Catholic church bells that were taken in 1901 from the Church of San Lorenzo de Martir from the small town of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, Philippines. These church bells are presently on display at Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Church bells belong in churches calling the faithful to worship, not on military bases. There are many precedents for returning bells, including two bells returned to Japan by the Superintendents of the US Naval Academy and the Virginia Military Institute. Mayors from Detroit, Deluth, Atlanta and Topeka also have returned bells to Japan. And just last year, the Superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Point returned another similar bell to the Philippines also taken in 1901. I am asking for your support to make sure that the said Wyoming provision in the House version of the NDAA IS NOT perpetuated and excluded from the final version of NDAA 2018. In June, President Duterte of the Philippines, formally asked the US to return these church bells. I personally fully support this because it is “the right and honorable thing to do”. Our US Embassy in Manila is also calling for return of the bells. However we also need your personal support - - please send an email to your elected officials. For additional factual information concerning the Bells of San Lorenzo de Martir, often referred to as the bells of Balangiga, can be found in a well-researched, factual and documented Essay that is hosted on VFW Post 2485 web site at . Please do forward and share this email with others, the more responses congress receives, the more likely we will be successful witnessing the bells ringing once again in the Church of Saint Lawrence the Martyr, in Balangiga, Eastern Samar. It is so easy to help, just go to your elected officials web sites and send them an email expressing your opinion. Feel free to put it into your own words, use what I included above, or explain why it is important to you. In this regard, I have included a few letters others have sent previously to their elected officials. Email is far better now because of the scanning of letters takes too long when it reaches congress and also due to time constraints.
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Post by darthdract on Nov 20, 2017 22:54:06 GMT 8
I just want to give my 2 cents here. I would hope that my country (The Philippines) would request the return of the bells not as a form of protest against the USA but instead should be done as a call for reconciliation and unity for our two nations, it should also be a gesture of good will the problem with some Filipino politicians is they make these requests just to rub it in to the Americans and to eternally make them feel guilty of past atrocities, I think such behavior is just counter productive. If ever it is returned the names of the of American dead involved in the initial battle should also be co honored as well.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 26, 2017 12:15:23 GMT 8
THE BELLS OF BALANGIGA, AN ESSAY It is a most interesting story and very well written that is why I like to present it here. It was written by RADM. Dan McKinnon USN Ret. I admire him; he is an Officer who cares. I believe he was one the MAIN Players who helped convince Congress to accept the responsibility for the Clark Veterans Cemetery! Another Naval Officer, retired Navy Captain Dennis Wright, Chief Executive Peregrine Corporation, has introduced this essay in an email to his friends: Unfortunately, the three Bells of San Lorenzo have been the subject of much rancor and misinformation - - or I guess we would say today “fake news”. In this regard, Dan McKinnon authored the most complete and factual history of the bells. It is a 90-page Essay he authored, representing out visits to Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne where two of the bells are and Korea where the third is presently at, and Dan’s methodical research into the subject. It is well documented and presented and perhaps more importantly a very easy read. I would encourage anyone wanting to know more about bells and private property taken during times of conflict to read it as it represents the basis of what I am writing to all of you about. You should be able to download the essay with this URL: img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/056f62b8-1401-4d48-adf3-2756236c1904/downloads/1bt3q8mbj_135384.pdfMy, Karl’s plan, is just to copy some pictures and the descriptions to get people interested in the story, as you know I like pictures. Za392. Two of the Balangiga Bells in Wyoming. Two “campanas colgante”, church bells from the Church of San Lorenzo de Martir in a brick enclosure erected for their protection by the USAF in 1967. With ownership asserted by the “Roman Catholic Church of the Parish of Balangiga”, and with the bells part of the cultural heritage of the Philippines and baptized and considered parishioners by their church, the “Bells of Balangiga” have become a subject of rancor and misunderstanding between friends. How I Got Interested RADM Dan McKinnon USN Ret writes in the essay how he got interested, I really encourage all to read it, it is on page 2 of the essay. In it he is also writing the history as to how many concerned Americans convinced Congress to accept the responsibility of the Clark Veterans Cemetery. Honoring Those that Died in the Philippine American War Za393. Memorial for the fallen of the American-Philippine War at the Clark Veterans Cemetery. The monument that started our quest. It is a monument to the unknowns and joins a memorial in Sackets Harbor, New York, as the only known memorials of the Philippine American War. It now rests at Clark American Cemetery having been moved to Clark (formerly Fort Stotsenburg) in 1948 from the Fort McKinley cemetery in Manila, a history in which my uncle played a part. Thus begun a journey of discovery and study. What we discovered was an amazing story. How in 1901 during the Philippine Insurrection Company C of the U.S. Ninth Infantry Regiment, having just returned from China and posted to the small Philippine town of Balangiga on the island of Samar, was attacked one morning by native bolomen and the unit almost got wiped out. How subsequent efforts to pacify the island of Samar resulted in it becoming called “Bloody Samar”. How church bells removed from the ruble of a belfry were taken in 1904 to Fort D. A. Russell, a formerly cavalry, infantry, and artillery post near Cheyenne, Wyoming. How the two bells remained there and in 1967 were placed in a small brick enclosure with a plaque concerning “The Massacre of Balangiga”. How it was disappointing to discover that what we had found was not a monument or war memorial but a trophy stand in a trophy park. How the battle at Balangiga has been studied for decades for its lessons in guerilla and “hearts and minds” warfare. How almost 25 years ago efforts to return the bells to the Philippines resulted in numerous newspaper articles and often acrimonious letters that debated their return. How even today there is legislation intended to ensure the two bells remain where they are in Trophy Park.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 26, 2017 13:56:00 GMT 8
THE BELLS OF BALANGIGA, AN ESSAY 2nd Segment It is a most interesting Story that is why I like to present it here. It was written by RADM. Dan McKinnon USN Ret. I admire him; he is an Officer who cares. I believe he was one the MAIN Players who helped convince Congress to accept the responsibility for the Clark Veterans Cemetery! Another Naval Officer, retired Navy Captain Dennis Wright, Chief Executive Peregrine Corporation has introduced this essay in an email to his friends: Unfortunately, the three Bells of San Lorenzo have been the subject of much rancor and misinformation - - or I guess we would say today “fake news”. In this regard, Dan McKinnon authored the most complete and factual history of the bells. It is a 90-page Essay he authored, representing out visits to Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne where two of the bells are and Korea where the third is presently at, and Dan’s methodical research into the subject. It is well documented and presented and perhaps more importantly a very easy read. I would encourage anyone wanting to know more about bells and private property taken during times of conflict to read it as it represents the basis of what I am writing to all of you about. You should be able to download the essay with this URL: img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/056f62b8-1401-4d48-adf3-2756236c1904/downloads/1bt3q8mbj_135384.pdfThis is how we got to the Philippines! Za394. Deweys ships in a line defeated the Spanish Fleeet Deweys ships in a line defeated the Spanish Fleeet without a single American sailor killed in action. Dewey was immediately ordered to sail to the Philippines and engage the ships of the new enemy. The first battle of the war then became Dewey’s attack of the Spanish fleet off Cavite in the massive Bay of Manila. Slipping into the harbor at night, his ships on the first of May defeated the Spanish fleet sinking eleven ships without losing a single one of his men killed in action. Fighting the Spanish Army took longer. Troops had to be marshaled, volunteers recruited and trained, transports assembled and units moved across the Pacific Ocean. In the Caribbean, fighting against the forces of Spain in Cuba and Puerto Rico was over by Christmas. In the Philippines, it was just beginning. The War in the Philippines. The Filipinos wanted their own country! Za395. Emilio Aguinaldo with delegates of their Congress at Plaza de Malolos Spanish photograph of Emilio Aguinaldo with delegates of their Congress at Plaza de Malolos upon declaration of the Republic of the Philippines. This January 23, 1899 photo is believed to be in celebration of the first Philippines Republic, which although brief, is acknowledged as the first republic in Asia. On February 4th 1899 shots were exchanged between Filipino troops and American sentries at the San Juan del Monte Bridge, an event which the next day led to full scale battle. In a February 5th 1899 cable from General Otis to Washington, “Insurgents in large force opened attack on our outer lines at 8:45 last evening. Renewed attack several times during night. At 4 o’clock this morning entire line engaged. All attacks repulsed.” Aguinaldo in his, “True Version of the Philippines Revolution”, describes a “fatal day of the 4th of February, during the night of which day the American forces suddenly attacked all our lines, which were in fact at the time almost deserted, because being Saturday, the day before a regular feast day, our Generals and some of the most prominent officers had obtained leave to pass the Sabbath with their respective families.” One event. Two views of history. We now know we shot first.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 28, 2017 11:58:35 GMT 8
THE BELLS OF BALANGIGA, AN ESSAY 3rd Segment. It is a most interesting Story that is why I like to present it here. It was written by RADM. Dan McKinnon USN Ret. I admire him; he is an Officer who cares. I believe he was one the MAIN Players who helped convince Congress to accept the responsibility for the Clark Veterans Cemetery! You should be able to download the essay with this URL: img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/056f62b8-1401-4d48-adf3-2756236c1904/downloads/1bt3q8mbj_135384.pdfZa415. Original map of Samar, from RADM Dan McKinnon collection Original map of Samar “from reconnaissance notes made by officers of 2nd & 3rd battalions, 43th Infantry, U. S. Volunteers” used in 1901 for the pacification of Samar. Balangiga is at the bottom right on the coast; Tacloban is on the island of Leyte on the left. Communications in 1901 between major units on the coasts was by boat. From the writer’s collection. In June 1901 General Robert P. Hughes had set up his U.S. Army Department of the Visayas headquarters at the capital town of Calbayog, Samar, later moved to Iloilo on the island of Panay, as units of the First Infantry and Tenth Calvary also moved into Samar. Calbayog became the 9th regimental headquarters. Although two battalions of American volunteers had been stationed earlier in coastal ports of Samar, little headway had been made in pacifying an island harassed for years by Sulu pirates or Moro chiefs and who Taylor says, “Not a single inhabitant… has … accepted our beneficent rule.” Balangiga had not been previously occupied by American troops. Casualties from guerilla fighting and the use of man traps would soon be serious as small units spread out into the rugged interior on “pacification” missions. (Man traps consisted of devices where a spear was released from a bow hidden alongside a path; a pit with sharp bamboo points; and heavy logs tumbling down from overhangs or crests of hills.) In April, Americans of the 43rd Infantry had lost 18 killed and 3 wounded near Catubig, a harbinger of what would take place later at Balangiga. Company H took up station on the east coast town of Oras, also not previously held by U.S. troops, a town which was found burned and abandoned. Communications between units was by boat and heliograph, by mounted orderlies where terrain permitted, and gradually by telegraph as wire was strung. This was Samar as Company C took up their post that August of 1901 in Balangiga. It’s only outside communications was by boat. Attack at Breakfast It was Saturday morning, not the Sabbath that so many writers portray Za416. “Last Stand at Balangiga” by Frederick Remington, 1902 “Last Stand at Balangiga” by Frederick Remington, 1902, an “oil en grisaille” on canvas, one of four commissioned by Smith and Wesson to advertise their revolver, the 38 Military and Police model, best known as Model 10. The soldier is probably intended to be representative. There has never been any question about their heroism with recognition long denied. The Bells Za417.Catbalogan Bell Towers on Samar Belfries on Samar were often wooden platforms due to concern about earthquakes. Za418. typical 19th century way of hanging bells, Courtesy of Professor Trota Jose. An old photo of a typical 19th century configuration of how campanas were hung by vines and signal bells by a yoke making the latter easy to swing and signal a warning about typhoons or pirates or summon people from the surrounding countryside to community events. Courtesy of Professor Trota Jose of the University of the Philippines. Quickly fifty men of Company G under Capitan Edwin V. Bookmiller boarded the launch Pittsburg along with eight men from Company C who were still able to fight, and arrived back at Balangiga after picking up two survivors who were found en route. Coming up on the town about noon, they fired into the village and came ashore. They rounded up the dead burying the three officers and twenty-nine soldiers in the plaza placing individual identification in bottles. When men of the 11th Infantry left Balangiga on 18 October, 1901 for Tacloban, they did not take three bronze church bells as souvenirs or for the purpose of the often misused word, “war booty”. They just took the bronze away from an enemy site because they were supposed to. The foundries of the Philippines had a history of turning bells into weapons, especially “Lantakas”, the cannon of the islands of the archipelago, and weapons into bells.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Dec 13, 2017 14:10:32 GMT 8
THE BELLS OF BALANGIGA, AN ESSAY 4th Segment. It is a most interesting Story that is why I like to present it here. It was written by RADM. Dan McKinnon USN Ret. I admire him; he is an Officer who cares. I believe he was one the MAIN Players who helped convince Congress to accept the responsibility for the Clark Veterans Cemetery! You should be able to download the essay with this URL: img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/056f62b8-1401-4d48-adf3-2756236c1904/downloads/1bt3q8mbj_135384.pdfI just copied some pictures, the descriptions and parts of a few paragraphs from the essay and present them here to raise your interest!. Za…The Balangiga Signal Bell in Korea. An “esquila” or “campana de vuelo” that is now in a U. S. Army museum in Korea. It is the signal bell removed from the ashes of the belfry and given by the 11th Infantry to the 9th Infantry, the “Manchus”. From the Essay page 21 The bells were held at the 11th Infantry base at Tacloban, now renamed Camp Bumpus, on a site protective storage of the 11th Infantry’s quartermaster, Captain Robert Alexander. Think of a scrap yard with the residue of war. Just a few months later before their departure for home, the signal bell was given to the 9th Infantry at their headquarters at Calbayog. Folklore that it was given to them by the remaining villagers of Balangiga is just that, folklore. From the Essay page 21 Za…Two of the Balangiga Bells on a field at former Fort D. A. Russel The bells as they sat on a field at former Fort D. A. Russell. Upon abandonment by the Army they sat in obscurity for half a century until placed in a brick enclosure by the USAF in 1967. From the Essay page 24 For over half a century the Bells of Balangiga sat somewhere on the plains of a Wyoming military base with no apparent interest by anyone in the United States or the Philippines, certainly not the U. S. Army which initially brought them to America and then abandoned them. They had been forgotten in the Philippines as well, even though they were not the only bells removed from Catholic churches and taken to the U.S. as souvenirs. President Ramos tried to get the bells returned. From the Essay page 24 to 29 Wyoming wants to keep the Bells: The New York Times had an extensive article quoting retired USAF Colonel Joe Sestak of the American Legion in Wyoming that, “We are not involved in the business of dismantling memorials to our comrades that have fought in other wars” That position remains today in the minds of some in Wyoming. Also his objections and calling the structure at the nearby missile base a “memorial” may have begun the misperception that exists today. In 2012, Colonel Sestak changed his mind. In a Wyoming Star-Tribune editorial, “Veteran now want bells back in Balangiga”, Colonel Sestak was quoted, “there are 55,000 veterans in Wyoming…I don’t think there’s 100 of them who know enough about the bells to carry on a conversation about them.” From the Essay page 29 Za… Manila WWII Devastation Manila devastation in World War II was second only to Warsaw. Governor Stan Hathaway knew what he was talking about. Over 100,000 civilians were killed, mass murders committed and cultural and architectural heritage destroyed. Is it any wonder the Filipinos want missing parts of their cultural heritage back? Is it any wonder that people cannot understand giving Bells back to Japan and not the Philippines? Ramos Was Not Alone In 1989 the Balangiga Historical Society in Samar petitioned the U.S. to return the town’s church bells, “The return of the bells would mean a great deal to the town people of Balangiga, as they represent the rich heritage of the town, the emblem and the aspirations of their forefathers for freedom and liberty.” In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 21st, 2017, President Duterte of the Philippines called for the Bells return stating they were part of their “national heritage”. The U.S. Embassy responded the next week with a statement that, “We will continue to work with our Filipino partners to find a resolution.”
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Post by Karl Welteke on Dec 21, 2017 17:17:07 GMT 8
THE BELLS OF BALANGIGA, AN ESSAY 5th Segment. Private Adolph Gamlin and his daughter, E. Jean Wall. It is a most interesting Story that is why I like to present it here. It was written by RADM. Dan McKinnon USN Ret. I admire him; he is an Officer who cares. I believe he was one the MAIN Players who helped convince Congress to accept the responsibility for the Clark Veterans Cemetery! You should be able to download the essay with this URL: img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/056f62b8-1401-4d48-adf3-2756236c1904/downloads/1bt3q8mbj_135384.pdfI just copied some pictures, the descriptions and parts of a few paragraphs from the essay and present them here to raise your interest!. Private Adolph Gamlin and his daughter, E. Jean Wall. Za507. Survivors of Company C with their Balangiga signal bell. Old photo of the survivors of Company C with their signal bell and a young mascot just before departing the Philippines for New York in 1902. The mascot, Francesco, accompanied the men to New York, went to school, grew up as part of the Manchu family, and then one day met a Spanish/Canadian young woman and took “French Leave” into Canada. Page 32 of the essay. Ms. E. Jean Wall, the daughter of Private Adolph Gamlin, the faithful and fated sentry on duty the morning of the massacre/event/revolt/conflict/surprise attack/encounter. She spoke, participated in seminars, and even met the grandson of Abanador. Jean Wall had been studying the history of Balangiga for many years, even as a girl listening to her father. Both Borrinaga and Couttie published books from the group’s research, books essential to any scholar seeking details of the event. Jean Wall’s contribution was more than remarkable and continues today. Page 31 of the essay Adolph Gamlin was a 20 year old farm boy from Nebraska when he enlisted in 1898 with the 51st Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was off to the Philippines. He later joined other Spanish American War volunteers by re-enlisting in the Regular Army’s 9th Infantry in 1900. Back to the Philippines in November, he caught up with Company C in January of 1901 when it was still in China and returned to Manila with the unit in June. He mustered out of the Army in 1903 at Fort Niagara in New York as Sergeant Gamlin and returned to Nebraska and married. Page 31 of the essay In Wyoming people were for returning the bells and against it! Za508.One of the Balangiga bells at F. E. Warren AFB One of the two “campana colgante” at F. E. Warren AFB. They were rung by young boys who climbed in under the bell on a platform and rang an iron clapper for various religious callings throughout the day. One can only wonder about the boy’s ears. Page 35 from the essay. In March 2005 the Wyoming Veterans Commission decided to review the bells issue and Ms. E. Jean Wall was invited to make a presentation on Bell history. She did not advocate for return. The committee voted favorably on a resolution to the Governor to return the bells to the Philippines. Again, there was swift reaction in the state. Veterans organizations protested and the two state Senators Thomas and Enzi confirmed their “commitment regarding keeping the bells at F. E. Warren”. Page 33 from the essay. One of the most telling and important stands taken on the Bells came from former Governor Stan Hathaway in a March 13, 1998 letter to Senator Thomas. He said clearly that keeping the Bells lacked a moral foundation. He wrote, “As I have studied the matter, I come to the conclusion that the position of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion is wrong on this issue. As a member of those organizations and as a combat veteran of World War II, I think I have a right to express that opinion.
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Post by cbuehler on Dec 22, 2017 10:33:34 GMT 8
Well, I guess this excellent presentation by Karl has gotten me "off the fence" where I had previously been with regard to the bells. I now think the it has come to return them and the opportunity to do so would be very timely in my opinion, whatever the moral issues may be.
CB
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