Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands; 75th Annivers

[Karl Welteke]

Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands; 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017.

The Philippine Government, together with American counterparts remembered the Corregidor Siege, the sacrifices and the fall, today, the 6th of May 2017.

The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI), with the help of all the participants, organized everything. I was there; I believe it was a job well done, Bravo Zulu!

Marines with 4th Marine Regiment and others visit Corregidor on 75th anniversary of battle.

EXO and I joined the Marines, commemorated the brave fighting of the 4th Marines and all other fighters in the Corregidor Siege. I took pictures and this is the first (1st) segment of 14 images put into this Flickr album; they are uploaded at the original high resolution! This 1st segment presents the arrival of the VIPs and their air transportation; this is the URL:

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157683640388935

In this forum presentation I uploaded 11 images but they are much smaller:




V866. (-001). This picture is from the official US Marines webpage; this is the URL:
www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1177134/marines-with-4th-marine-regiment-visit-corregidor-on-75th-anniversary-of-battle/



V867. (-002). Google Earth image of Corregidor.



V868. (-003). Commemoration Program of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017.



V869. (-004). Aircrafts with VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 are arriving on the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.



V870. (-005). Aircrafts with VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 are arriving on the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.



V871. (-006). Aircrafts with VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 are arriving on the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.



V872. (-007). Reception of the passengers. Aircrafts with VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 are arriving on the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.



V873. (-008). In front is Dr. Ricardo T. Jose, the prominent Filipino Historian. Aircrafts with VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 are arriving on the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.



V874. (-009). Reception of the passengers. Aircrafts with VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 are arriving on the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.



V875. (-010). Aircrafts with VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 are arriving on the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.



V876. (-013). A V-22 Osprey Aircraft which brought VIPs and participants of the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017 is departing from the former Fort Mills Parade Ground on Corregidor Island.

[beirutvet]

Hi Karl

At what would you estimate the crowd size?

[Karl Welteke]

Beirutvet, about 4 aircrafts landed, I ferry and 3 or 4 small boats arrived that may have brought the visitor count on the island, perhaps to 300. Not all were at the ceremony, so my rough guess is 200 at the commemoration.
PS: I did take pictures of the hotel being renovated but it will be some time till I get to work on them.

[Karl Welteke]

2nd Segment, 10 images, VIPs arrive

Name of the new Flick album:

Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands; 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017.

Description of the album:

The Philippine Government, together with American counterparts remembered the Corregidor Siege, the sacrifices and the fall, today, the 6th of May 2017.

The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI), with the help of all the participants, organized everything. I was there; I believe it was a job well done, Bravo Zulu!

Marines with 4th Marine Regiment and others visit Corregidor on 75th anniversary of battle.

This second (2nd) segment has 10 images (numbers 015 to 024), which describe the VIPs walking to the Pacific War Memorial. This is the URL:

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157683640388935

In this 2nd presentation into the forum, I uploaded the same 10 images but they are much smaller.



V877. (-015). The Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, his guests and staff arrived in this helicopter.



V878. (-016). This picture is dedicated to Sun Cruises and their staff; I know this lady was a key member in the organization of Sun Cruises service. They took care of lots of transportation; they fed a lot of people and provided berthing for 50 plus people who stayed one night or more. Remember their hotel Corregidor Inn is not open!



V879. (-017). The Philippine Secretary of National Defense, Delfin Lorenzana arrived on Corregidor in his Philippine Helicopter.



V880. (-018). The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines exchange greetings.



V881. (-019). The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines advance up from the former Fort Mills Parade Ground.



V882. (-020). The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines advance up from the former Fort Mills Parade Ground.



V883. (-021). The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines advance up from the former Fort Mills Parade Ground. The Philippine Navy provided honor guards and a band for the National anthems etc.



V884. (-022). The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines advance up from the former Fort Mills Parade Ground and are approaching the Philippine- United States Friendship Circle. They are joined by the leader or director of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the Executive Director of the Corregidor Foundation Inc.



V885. (-023). The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines advance up from the former Fort Mills Parade Ground and are walking past the Philippine- United States Friendship Circle. They are joined by the leader or director of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the Executive Director of the Corregidor Foundation Inc. In this circle are stone plaque markers listing all the units that defended the Philippines; about 30 stone plaques or so. ALL NAVAL DEPARTMENT UNITS ARE PUT ON THIS ONLY MARKER, INCL. THE 4TH MARINES. In the album you will be able to read this; all pictures there are uploaded in the original resolution.



V886. (-024). The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines advance up from the former Fort Mills Parade Ground and are approaching the Philippine- United States Friendship Circle. They are joined by the leader or director of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the Executive Director of the Corregidor Foundation Inc. They are now approaching the Pacific War Memorial. The V-22 Osprey departed the island before the ceremony and returned later. They are from another US Marine unit which is in country for an annual exercise.

[Karl Welteke]

3rd Segment, 12 images, Wreath Laying

Name of the new Flick album:

Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands; 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017.

Description of the album:

The Philippine Government, together with American counterparts remembered the Corregidor Siege, the sacrifices and the fall, today, the 6th of May 2017.

The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI), with the help of all the participants, organized everything. I was there; I believe it was a job well done, Bravo Zulu!

Marines with 4th Marine Regiment and others visit Corregidor on 75th anniversary of battle.

This second (3rd) segment has 12 images (numbers 025 to 036), which show the wreaths laying by the VIPs at the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor.

This is the album URL:

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157683640388935

In this 3rd presentation into the forum, I uploaded only 9 images and they are much smaller.



V887. (-025). Across the Manila Bay North Channel on Bataan is a large Maritime Academy and their student cadets provided the Color Guard and wreath laying helpers; they looked sharp!



V888. (-026). The ceremony is about to start and the cadets are standing by. Across the Manila Bay North Channel on Bataan is a large Maritime Academy and their student cadets provided the Color Guard and wreath laying helpers; they looked sharp!



V889. (-027). Cadets of a maritime academy are presenting the Colors. Across the Manila Bay North Channel on Bataan is a large Maritime Academy and their student cadets provided the Color Guard and wreath laying helpers; they looked sharp! It is 1100 Hours and notice the light circle on the floor, right of the altar, that streams thru the top of this Pacific War Memorial Shrine Dom.




V890. (-028). The Philippine Marine Corps and the Philippine Veterans Office present a wreath. I believe the Gentlemen are: Lieutenant General (Retired) Ernesto Carolina, Administrator of the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office and Brigadier General Alvin Parreño, Deputy Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.




V891. (-029). I believe this lady is the Philippine Secretary of Tourism and is presenting a wreath.LTCOL Artemio G. Matibag advised that the VIP Lady was: Director Rebecca Villanueva-Labit of Department of Tourism (DOT), Region IV-A (CALABARZON).



V892. (-031). Two senior U.S. Marine Corps Officers are presenting a wreath. I believe it is U.S. Marine Officer, BGen John Jansen, Deputy Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commanding General, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The other officer might be the Commanding Officer of the 4th Marines, Col. Kevin Norton. They looked sharp but then as a 49 year US Navy Master Chief, then when I retired in 1991, I did not look bad either.





V893. (-033) The Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense and the Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines are presenting their wreaths.



V894. (-035) Wreaths laying by the VIPs at the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor is now complete.



V895. (-036) Wreath Laying is complete and the VIPs are moving to their seats. It is now 1109 Hours and notice that the light stream coming thru a round opening at the top of the doom has noticeable advanced in the last 9 minutes.

[Karl Welteke]

4th segment, 12 images, VIPs

Name of new Flick album:
Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands; 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017.

Description of the album:
The Philippine Government, together with American counterparts remembered the Corregidor Siege, the sacrifices and the fall, today, the 6th of May 2017.
The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI), with the help of all the participants, organized everything. I was there; I believe it was a job well done, Bravo Zulu!
Marines with 4th Marine Regiment and others visit Corregidor on 75th anniversary of battle.

This fourth (4th) segment has 12 images (numbers 037 to 048), which show some of the VIPs at the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor.

In this forum presentation I uploaded only 8 images and they are much smaller. In the album the pictures are uploaded at the original high resolution.



V898. (-037). This is the Honorable Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense, perhaps with his wife at his left and I believe, the lady at his right, is the Honorable Philippine Secretary of Tourism. This was shot after the Commemoration.LTCOL Artemio G. Matibag advised that the VIP Lady was: Director Rebecca Villanueva-Labit of Department of Tourism (DOT), Region IV-A (CALABARZON).



V899. (-039). The Honorable Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines is in conversation at the 75th Anniversary and commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor at the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. This image was shot after the Commemoration.



V900. -040. The three gentlemen in the white shirts, left to right are: Lieutenant General (Retired) Ernesto Carolina, Administrator of the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office, Lt. Col Artemio G. Matibag, Executive Director, Corregidor Foundation, Inc. (CFI) and his on-island assistant Mr. Ron Benadero. This image was shot before the Commemoration; we were waiting for the arrival of the other VIPs.




V901. (-042). The couple Steve and Marcia Kwiecinski who came all the way from the USA with the Valor Tour for this 75th Anniversary and commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor. Steve was the master of ceremonies and Marcia let the ceremony with a prayer. Steve Kwiecinski is the son of a Battery Way veteran who survived the battle, the Hell-Ships and the Japanese hell POW camps. Both of them shared residing on Corregidor for about 7 years and did historical research. During that time they operated this blog, Steve & Marcia on the Rock: Corregidor Journal, which is still available for viewing:
steveandmarciaontherock.blogspot.com/

Kr. Steve Kwiecinski also wrote a book about his father with the title: Honor Courage Faith, A Corregidor Story.

www.amazon.com/Honor-Courage-Faith-Corregidor-Story/dp/9712726290



V902. (-44). Steve Kwiecinski was invited by the CFI to be the master of ceremonies for this 75th Anniversary and commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor. Steve Kwiecinski is the son of a Battery Way veteran who survived the battle, the Hell-Ships and the Japanese hell POW camps.



V903. (-46). I spotted an old friend; he is Dr. Ricardo T. Jose who is a Filipino history scholar and professor. I had the opportunity to explore several ex US military tunnels under the former Fort Bonifacio (ex Fort McKinley). One sees Dr. Ricardo T. Jose often on TV being interviewed or as a speaker.



V904. (-47). At left is the Australian Gentleman, Paul Whitman. He is the web master of the famous Corregidor webpage: corregidor.org. The 4th Marines contacted him for information about Corregidor. He was honored and came all the way to the Philippines to join the 4th Marines for this event. The Gentleman at right is a history buff from Texas who also came to the Philippines for this event.



V905. (-48). This is USMC Col. Kevin A. Norton, commanding officer of 4th Marine Regiment. He is an officer who believes in the Esprit de Corps and insists that his Marines learn about the history of the Corps. He accompanied about 40 Marines to the Philippines for the commemoration. Below is a quote from a video:
’Lest we forget,’ those three words are the reason we are out here today honoring the memory of the 4th Marines that fought here, honoring the regimental colors, and with humble pride, remembering that this is an important part of our history,” said Col. Kevin A. Norton, commanding officer of 4th Marine Regiment.
This is the video URL:

This video, 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor, (almost 9 min. long) on YouTube, is posted by Bridget Bosch and credited to Staff Sgt. Michael Mason | Date Taken: 05/06/2017

[Karl Welteke]

5th segment, 7 images. Light stream onto the altar, Pacific War Memorial.

I have heard this and I have been told that the Pacific War Memorial Dom is designed in such a way that the light stream coming thru the round opening in the top of the dome hits the altar at the ground underneath exactly at 12 noon, on the 6th May in commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Common Wealth on that date.
I never watched that. Participating in the 75th Anniversary and Commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor, I finally had a chance to witness that.

Name of new Flick album:
Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands; 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017.

Description of the album:
The Philippine Government, together with American counterparts remembered the Corregidor Siege, the sacrifices and the fall, today, the 6th of May 2017.
The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI), with the help of all the participants, organized everything. I was there; I believe it was a job well done, Bravo Zulu!
Marines with 4th Marine Regiment and others visit Corregidor on 75th anniversary of battle.

This fourth (5th) segment has 7 images (numbers 049 to 055), which shows the progress of the light stream falling onto the altar in the Pacific War Memorial Dome on Corregidor Island. This is the album URL:

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157683640388935


In this forum presentation I uploaded all 7 images but they are much smaller. In the album the pictures are uploaded at the original high resolution.



V906. (-049). The time is 1052 Hours and we see the light stream is still some distance from the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. The Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor will start at 1100 hours.



V907. (-050). The time is 1140 Hours in the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. The light stream has moved a considerable distance onto the altar. The Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor has started, the wreaths have been laid and the ceremony is under way.



V908. (-051). The time is 1151 Hours in the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. The light stream has moved a considerable distance onto the altar. The Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor is nearing to its end.



V909. (-051). The time is 1200 Hours in the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. This is shot up at the round opening in the top of the dome. The Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor is almost at its end.



V910. (-051). The time is 1200 Hours in the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. I would say the light stream covers the altar roundly and almost completely at this time. Both my cameras have their time installed about 5 minutes early but I think the designers of this scheme got it about right, Bravo Zulu to them.



V911. (-052). The time is 1200 Hours in the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. The MC, Steve Kwiecinski, had to do a tight balancing act, he wanted to end his speak punctually when the light stream was exactly on the altar at 1200 hours at noon. He had to stretch his speech a little but he made it work, Bravo Zulu to you also, Steve.



-053. The time is 1206 Hours in the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. The Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor has ended. The people are rising from their seats and start their conversations. The light stream is leaving the altar on the other side. It was a good commemoration, CFI, Sun Cruises, the Joint Philippine and US Militaries, the many workers, the participant and all visitors done their part. We commemorated that great tragedy that happen here 75 years ago, we remember the fallen, the wounded, the sacrifices, and their heroism. We will continue in their proud tradition.

[beirutvet]

Bravo Zulu to you too, Karl.  Thank You.

[EXO]

Not every day I get on TV in the Philippines - even if it is only as a face in the crowd.

I want to give a special thanks to Col. Kevin Norton, Lt-Col Mark Broekhuizen, and Karl Welteke. Accompanying me is Gary Vodicka.

Thanks to Col. Norton of the 4th Marines, a Corregidor reminder. 

[Karl Welteke]

6th and last segment, 14 images. Participants, guests, visitors before and after the ceremony


Name of new Flick album:
Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands; 75th Anniversary Commemoration on Corregidor, the 6th of May 2017.

Description of the album:
The Philippine Government, together with American counterparts remembered the Corregidor Siege, the sacrifices and the fall, today, the 6th of May 2017.
The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI), with the help of all the participants, organized everything. I was there; I believe it was a job well done, Bravo Zulu!
Marines with 4th Marine Regiment and others visit Corregidor on 75th anniversary of battle.

This 6th and last segment, 14 images (numbers 056 to 069) shows participants, guests, visitors before and after the ceremony of the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands. This is the URL for the album:

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157683640388935

In this forum presentation I uploaded all 14 images but they are much smaller. In the album the pictures are uploaded at the original high resolution.




V913. (056). When I looked at this picture closer, I zoomed in and realized that I forgot to mention FAME. FAME stands for:
THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT INCORPORATED
The Filipino-American Memorial Endowment Incorporated (FAME) is a non-stock, non-profit foundation established in the Philippines and the United States by business executives and veterans. Founded in 1986 under the auspices of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc., FAME, Inc. is solely supported by donations with an all-volunteer Board and Advisory Councils.

FAME‘s mission is to help preserve and maintain tangible reminders of the shared values for which Americans, Filipinos and their allies fought side-by-side in World War II.

FAME’s Accomplished & Ongoing Projects:
• U.S. Embassy Philippine-American Historical Photos Project; a permanent display of photos located throughout the Chancery building of U.S. Embassy, Manila.
• Ongoing maintenance of Corregidor memorials, including the Pacific War Memorial Museum at Topside.

Replacement and continuing maintenance of 138 Bataan Death March Kilometer markers along the route leading to Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.

From personal experience I know that FAME and CFI work hand in hand in organizing the many Commemorations on Corregidor Island and I am sure they have contributed for this event. A personal friend, Bob Hudson, who serves as a volunteer Board Member at FAME was present.



V914. (057). This Officer and Gentleman, I claim to call a friend, was also instrumental in the very successful organization of this Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands. He is the U.S. Marine Corps Military Attaché at the U. S. Embassy. The U.S. Marine Corps provided many aircrafts and other recourses. They are from a unit which is presently in-country for joint military exercises. Last but not least he helped the 4th Marines to send a delegation of about 40 Marines to participate in view that the 4th Marines were the defenders of Corregidor.



V915. (058). The gentleman at left is a Stars & Stripes corresponded from Japan and the Gentleman at right is the Captain U.S. Marines from the 4th Marines who organized their trip from Okinawa to here for the participation in the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands. The Stars and Stripes news paper has an article about the event and this is the URL:

www.stripes.com/news/4th-marines-return-to-corregidor-to-mark-battle-s-75th-anniversary-1.467239#.WRf9aGewe-s



V916. (059). Men with short hair and a powerful radio, security men from where? They are standing by the ex Fort Mills parade ground on Corregidor Island waiting for the arrival of the VIP.



V917. (060). This is under the dome of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island; the man in uniform is the Sergeant Major, 4th Marines. I heard the Commanding Officer say that the Sergeant Major was his right hand man.



V918. (-061). The Philippine Navy supported the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands. They provided the honor guard for the VIPs and also the band for the National Anthems. I wore that uniform in the US Navy from 1960 to 1969 and I wore it in 1962 when I stepped ashore in the Philippines for the first time. I have been fascinated with this country of our Filipino friends and comrades ever since, Mabuhay.



V919. (-062). Hurry up and wait! Some of the Officers and men of the about 40 men detail of the 4th Marines that came here onto the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island from Okinawa to commemorate a fateful event in the history of their regiment. I have learned that the 4th Marine Regiment swelled to 4000 men in 1942, including many US Navy men. Only 1500 Officers and enlisted men were US Marines.



V920. (-063). It is 1042 Hours and we are waiting for the arrival of the VIPs at the east side of the former Fort Mills parade grounds on Corregidor Island. In 1942 the Army burned the US Flag here before the surrender, some cut off pieces and carried with them until their liberation in 1945. On the 16th Feb. 1945 US Paratroopers raised the US Flag again, on these holy ground; they used this place as their drop zone.



V921. (-064). Cadets of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines Kamaya Pt., Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan. They paraded the colors and helped presenting the wreaths. From Corregidor, across the North Channel, on Bataan one can see their large installation. Here they are viewing the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. They looked sharp, done a good job; thank you cadets!



V922. (-065). Visitors are killing time at the entrance to the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island. I believe they are 4th Marines service members from Okinawa.



V923. (-066). On this visit I met this couple; he is a history buff and frequently visits Corregidor. I believe he is a businessman operating out of Makati, in Manila.



V934. (-067). Have no fear the National Police was on hand to protect us. It is not an unnecessary presence. Things can happen anytime at this moment in history. There are bad characters everywhere in this world. Thank you Police Members.



V925. (-068). It is 1208 Hours, the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands has ended. This is the dome structure of the Pacific War Memorial, on the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island.



V926. (-069). It is 1208 Hours, the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor and the Philippine Islands has ended. People are moving to their next activity. We see the two National Flags, and ahead at right is the cine structure of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island.