WWII and the American Cemetery

The team arrived at the Manila airport after leaving Davao very early. At the airport we said goodbye to many of the team members as everyone flew to different parts of the world....
Egypt, Russia, Italy, USA, Vietnam and other areas in Asia.

The girls and I, along with Huong and Shawna, went to the Marriott. The girls and I had a room on the club floor and were whisked to the executive check in desk. Hana and Shawna went along for a shower and the club floor snacks since their plane didn't leave until 10 pm.

We had a wonderful spread of scrumptious food and we really dug in... the dragon fruit and shrimp on lemon grass was delicious. After getting our fill we were picked up by Juan. Juan and Mimi live in Manila. He is an OB/GYN and Mimi is an anesthesiologist. She met my sister, Jane, on a mission in Egypt a few years ago. Mimi was busy in a case, so Juan had taken the day off to take care of us...the American Op Smile visitors. It was so great, he picked us up and took us to the cemetery then later shopping at the local "let's make a deal" mall.

I'm buying pearls in Davao. They are known for their high quality South Sea pearls. Gerald, one of the local surgeons, had us all buy from this shop. I think everyone on the mission came home with beautiful pearls thanks to him. I wonder if it was Gerald's aunt that owned the shop? Kidding....

 Good friends, Susan- Shawna- Regina at the final party

This is James Fox the program coordinator. His mother, Jane, was on the trip too and was just lovely!
Also pictured above is Morag (UAE sponsor) with Andy, the child live coordinator.

Leaving Davao on the way to Manila.
This is the American cemetery dedicated to those who died in WWII.

Standing in the midst of the monuments of those 50,000 who lost their lives in the Pacific during WWII is a very humbling and sobering experience.

17, 206 graves are marked with the remains of someone buried there, but the walls have the engraved names of 36,279 listed as missing in action.

As we walked along the walls and read the names and jobs they did we found many medal of honor winners. There were also at least 3 admirals listed along with cooks, first mates, and many many others. The entire ship would go down with all lost at sea. The walls listed the Sailor or Marines name, rank , job and state.

It is well worth the trip to honor those who are buried here who died protecting the freedom that we all enjoy, but especially the Philippinos.

On the walls encircling the memorial are more than 36,000 MIA. Juan said some were still being buried as their remains are found and identified.



Wendy, Susan, Emily, Shawna, Hana and Juan our Doctor tour guide while Mimi was working.
He was just great and took all these women shopping...see our bags.

Mimi joined us for dinner at a Japanese sushi place near the hotel. She had car snacks while we shopped,  treated us to dinner and bought us gifts. Gee...what a day. She and Juan are great and I hope they can visit Memphis one day. I'll take her to Graceland!

Happy team Op Smile members to finally have a hot shower and Marriott club floor treats!