Manila American Cemetery, Manila

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The American Cemetery in Manila is a memorial to the men who gave their lives trying to protect the citizens of the Philippines from the Japanese or upon it's recapture from the Japanese.

Standing in the midst of the monuments to over 50,000 men and women who lost their lives in the Pacific during WWII is a very humbling and sobering experience. Not all of the men and women interred here were killed in the Philippines but this is only the largest of the cemeteries for those fighting for freedom during that war. The Filipinos have done them honor by maintaining the integrity and beauty of the memorial for the last half century while assisting those who have made the trek to visit the final resting place of lost family or friends.

17,206 grave sites mark where the remains of our fallen soldiers are interred with a monument in tribute to another 36,279 whose remains were never recovered and are still listed as Missing In Action. Even if you don't have a relative interred here, it is well worth the trip just to honor those who died protecting the freedom people around the world enjoy, but especially the Filipinos.

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This cemetery is very impressive. It's the most beautiful & cleanest cemetery I've seen. Very well-maintained landscape. The marble crosses are very well arranged. It is a memorial for American soldiers who died during World War ll. You can recall your history lessons here with huge maps & illustrations on the walls. Names of fallen soldiers also engraved on the walls. I find the cemetery guard snob though. He is not very accommodating to queries from tourists.

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Taal is one of the smallest, but very active Volcanos. For us, our once in a lifetime gift, to our neices and nephews.We drove from Manila to Taygaytay. We met our tour guide/contact. In our own vehicles, we followed him, down, down, down,to and through Batangas. A steep, winding road, drive. We had arrangements to rent two boats at a resort. Our picnic lunch and snacks went with us on the boat.-Good thing, or we would have starved ,if we had left them at the resort. The boat ride was fantastic. Simple boats, sun screen, life jackets ,blue water, excitement for an adventure ,we did not know what to expect. The view, a gift from God. The emotion, I can not express in words. I was told that God is everywhere, but up on that mountain, the view ,His presence, for a moment in time, I thought I had been mistaken all these years, because He was THERE,on Taal. 3.5 K up the mountain. All of us made it up, most walked all the way, a few rode "small horses"1/2 way up. Extrordinary, breathtaking views. A wonderful, family bonding experience. Each person with their own unique journey. The highlight of our trip! A must see! I made a mistake with this heading,obviously, not the cemetary. Sorry....

One of the most entertaining things to do in Manila is to stroll along the nroad promenade between Roxas Boulevard and Manila Bay -- the Baywalk. During the day, you'll see people fishing (though I wouldn't eat that fish), people swimming (though I wouldn't touch that water), lovers kissing and other peope out just enjoying the sights (which include the people as much as the bay). At night, all the stacked chairs and tables are spread around and the place becomes one big celebration, where you can buy San Miguel, listen to live music and people watch all you want.

Providing a quiet spot to retreat from Manila’s rat race, the American Cemetery near the Makati commercial centre is a welcome peaceful oasis, much visited by tourists, especially veterans of World War II. The hillside cemetery contains thousands of white marble crosses marking rows of graves of those who died in battle. The circular memorial contains the names of those missing in action engraved in marble columns; huge wall mosaics depict battle scenes from WWII, and a small chapel is located here.

Impressive.

The World War II Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located about six miles southeast of Manila, Republic of the Philippines within the limits of Fort Bonifacio, the former U.S. Army Fort William McKinley. It can be reached easily from the city by taxicab

Hermie is the cemetery's guide. The last time I was here, they colored the name with black paint to highlight it for pictures but apparently it only dirtied the marble so they now only use sand and rub it on the engraving. This way, it just gets blown away by the wind.

Chris (balfor) has a vt page dedicated to his uncle who died in service during the 2nd World War. I promised him I'd pay a visit to the cemetery again to check if he is buried there and yes, he is.
Harold Fortner from Missouri, First Lt. died on May 12, 1942.

A couple of years ago I brought an American friend here. It was my first time in this peaceful, green oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle of Makati.
The manicured lawns and shady trees are a perfect backdrop for the rows of crosses on the gravesites.
There is a hemicycle on which walls are listed the names of the Americans and Filipino scouts who gave their lives in service and who sleep in unknown graves.

Inside the circular memorial those huge wall mosaics display the important battle scenes during WWII in Asia.