Karl WELTEKE
Olongapo
3 March, 2005

Dear Paul,

The 60th Anniversary of Recapture of Corregidor yesterday made the front page of today's Philippine Daily Inquirer, maybe the most important paper here now.

It was a big operation and effort by the RP Government.

A C-130 swooped over the Parade Grounds at very low altitude just like the assault on the 16th Feb., before I noticed it it was gone.

We were not let in to the Memorial where all the speeches were made; that was only for properly ID'ed and invited guests only. But I didn't feel that to be a loss.

At the very end after the RP President left I missed the special Wreath laying ceremony at the 503d PRCT Memorial by American Ambassador and entourage. This is probably were your words got in, and the poem "Corregidor" received its recognition.

Highlights for me were, it all went off pretty good, my 5 1/2 year old daughter said she had a very good day and hugged me. Mr. O'Friel gave me a 503d Airborne patch. I will sew it on the Corregidor 2004 cap you gave me.

A new type of landing craft brought over most of the logistics. I don't know the hull designation of it but it is a mixture between a LST and LCU. They are big and could handle all of it. It tied up bow-to to the large area north pier. It's bow ramp laid down nicely and vehicles could get off and on easy.

It brought amongst other things at least 3 military bands, RP Navy, RP Marines, US Army, 2 platoons of Honor Guards which were RP Navy and RP Marines, their trucks, a battery of 7 saluting guns, and a rifle squad for shooting saluting salvos for the fallen. Maybe many of the invited guests such as RP WWII Vets came that way.

All the CFI busses and trolley got everybody topside on time. Maybe some busses came with landing craft also.

Our contingent from Olongapo consisted of my family of 6 and 2 friends, Kevin Hamdorf the photographer, Randy Anderson (the writer) & son. They brought along 2 US Korean vets who are visiting the RP. Two separate cars took us to Villa Carmen, Cabcaben and we took 2 boats to Bottomside, 10 people is the limits for these boats, they have life jackets, I brought a better fitting one for the daughter. I paid 1200 Peso for my boat and they wait for you and when finished they take you back. CFI provided transportation to and fro topside.

Some of the RP Brass came by Helo and there was plenty of Brass. I was standing near about 6 Flag Officers.

When we got Topside Mr. O'Friel (US Embassy Project Officer) and I spotted each other right away.  He advised us where to stand and it was a good advice. It was under a large tree and the entrance road towards the Pacific War Memorial and opposite the 503d Memorial.

It started with an US Army Helo bringing the US Ambassador and his party which included RP Senator Gordon who of course is of Olongapo and Subic Bay Fame. I asked why Gordon was  playing such and important part in all these 60th Anniversaries. Mr. O'Friel said that Senator Gordon, formerly the Olongapo Mayor and Subic Bay Base Conversion Honcho was on the RP Committee handling all these 60th Anniversary events.

Promptly at 1000 hours the President in her convoy pulled up alongside the Mile Long Barracks and walked to where we were and shook hands with all the VIP guests, such as the Ambassadors and RP high officials.

Then the RP Military saluted their President, Presented Arms, 21 gun salute and trooping the two Honor Guard Platoons.

Following this, the Presidential Party and Honored guests walked up the Old Flagpole and to the playing of the two National Anthems the RP and US Flags were raised.

They walked back and than entered the roadway to the War Memorial, slowly and the photographers had their field day; lots of hellos and pleasantries exchanged on the way.

The RP Marine Band was waiting just outside the War Memorial and to the appropriate music RP President (last), the major Allied Powers (Ambassadors) laid Wreath at the 503d Memorial.

Finishing that the party continued into the Memorial and the events continued there according the schedule, but without us. We were not "official guests properly identified."

While that was going on about 15 to 20 Parachutists came down. I didn't even hear or see the aircraft. Just like on the 16th Feb 45 the prevailing winds were from the NE but maybe on this day they were not as strong. Still,  one parachutist landed in a tree and another landed on his face, so I was told by Randy. I didn't witness it myself.

After that the party  came to the area of the 503d Memorial and I believe the President departed according to the schedule.

The ceremony at the 503d Memorial then commenced. 

 

It was a beautiful day in more ways than one, and we left for home. 

Karl