By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The 81st Lingayen Gulf Landing Anniversary during World War II and the 19th Veterans Day have been commemorated at the beach here recently.
It was graced by Undersecretary for Civilian and Reserve Affairs of the Department of National Defense (DND) Major Gen. Pablo M. Lorenzo in lieu of DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, Vice Governor Mark Lambino, military delegation from the Australian Embassy, foreign veterans, and officials of the Philippine Veterans Bank and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.
LANDING
Supreme Allied Commander for the Far East American Five-Star General Douglas MacArthur's landing in Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945, was the final phase of his famous promise to return to the Philippines. While his first landing was in Leyte months earlier, the Lingayen operation was the massive amphibious assault needed to retake the capital, Manila.
