Pangasinan to Commemorate 74th Anniversary of Lingayen Gulf Landing

The province of Pangasinan will commemorate on Wednesday, Jan. 9, the 74th anniversary of the historic landing of the Allied Liberation Forces led by General Douglas MacArthur in the Lingayen Gulf to liberate Luzon from the Japanese forces.

The observance will coincide with the celebration of the 12th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day to honor local veterans who fought alongside the American forces, as well as those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom.

A thanksgiving mass, wreath-laying ceremony, and a commemorative program honoring the sacrifices and heroism of the World War II veterans will be held at the Veterans’ Memorial Park behind the Provincial Capitol here.

Addressing the guests and participants as honored guest speaker will be Hon. Zajid Mangudadatu, 2nd district Representative of the Province of Maguindanao.

The solon is a member of the House of Representatives committee on National Defense and Security.

It was in 2008 when the provincial government started to commemorate the Pangasinan Veterans’ Day — coinciding with the Lingayen Gulf landings anniversary — as a gesture of recognition to the gallantry and heroism of the Filipino soldiers and fighters of the Allied Forces who lost their lives during the liberation of Luzon at the turning point of World War II.

Lunch and medical mission intended for the surviving World War II veterans and their families will follow at the Sison Auditorium right after the event at the Veterans’ Memorial Park. (JNPD/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)