My name is Amanda Williams and it is my honor to lead the team here at the macarthur memorial. And i would like to extend a special welcome this morning to. Congressman bobby scott to city of norfolk mayor dr. Cooper, alexander philippine, consul general eric cruz, erebus Philippine Army attache arthur roman yost and Lieutenant General john agen. Dr. Cynthia romero. The chairman of the council of united filipino organizations of tidewater. Max frias, Vice President , the Hampton Roads chapter of Filipino NationalHistorical Society. Ric hurley, the director of the Virginia Association of museums colonel william davis, the executive director of the general Douglas Macarthur. Members of the general Douglas MacarthurFoundation Board and acting deputy city manager and military affairs liaison. Mr. Len ramirez, thank you all very much this morning for being with us. And we would also like to say that are very honored to be hosting the Filipino American veterans of Hampton Roads, color guard and the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia School of creative and performing arts and the philippine run dala ensemble of virginia. Thank you again for being here with this morning. The macarthur memorial has a Dynamic Mission that unites stewardship of World Heritage with a commitment to Public Access and education and and that includes even the difficult parts of our shared history. So today with our partners the Filipino AmericanNational Historical society of Hampton Roads and the council of united filipino organizations of tidewater. We are here today to remember a war that has been forgotten by many, an absolutely devastating. And were also here to reclaim it, to the preservation of this history and to ensure a place in this process to the Wider Community and especially to our young who are here with us today today, would not have been possible without the Virginia Association of museums and the role they played last year in raising awareness of the macarthur memorial copy of General Emilio Aguinaldo poes 1899 declaration of independence or without the many donors who stood with us to fund the conservation of this incredible document, we also need to thank many other individuals who also came alongside us to make today possible. Please accept deepest gratitude for your. Now please stand for the presentation of the colors, the National Anthems of the philippines and the United States of america present the colors colors. Photos are right face. Right shoulder charged charged. For war marks. Marked by march. Oh. Left face. Right hand arm. Salutes. You. Show. Good career guard retire the colors. All over right shoulder. All right. Right, right. March, forward, march. You may be seated. It is now my honor to welcome norfolk mayor dr. Kenneth alexander to the podium. Well, good morning. All right. Okay. We can do better that. I know its early. Good morning. Welcome to norfolk. I am so honored to be here. And i do want to acknowledge our congressman again sitting the front row, the hardest working member of congress, none other than robert c, bobby scott. Thank you, bobby. For always here. Its truly an honor to join you today to commemorate the 125th anniversary of philippineamerican. Can the philippineamerican war, this pivotal event in our history marked the beginning of a century long relationship between the philippines and the United States, a bond that norfolk proudly maintains, particularly through the macarthur memorials treasures, including rare artifact being unveiled today the First Philippine president , General Emilio Aguinaldos, 1899 declaration of. This important document recognizes one of virginias top endangered artifacts survive a journey to the United States and eventually fell home here in norfolk in the hands of our citys son, general Douglas Macarthur. The journey of this document mirrors the complex layers. The philippine and American History and general macarthurs role in the philippine liberation today, we remember general macarthurs solemn pledge to liberate the Philippine Islands during war two in 1944, he made good on his promise, initiating campaigns that ultimately liberated the islands. In 1945. This marks the 79th anniversary of the philippine liberation. This important story finds, our two nations. And there is no better place to showcase it than right here in norfolk at the back, the memorial i what i just did my sincere gratitude to the Macarthur Foundation for its unwavering support and dedication to, preserving our history, your commitment ensures that stories of our past. Continue to enlighten many future generations to come. The city of norfolk is deeply appreciate to our longstanding with the filipino and the alliance we have forged together. I know the point of personal privilege. I would to recognize my High School Friend vicky macdougall waves vicky me to go. Vicky, where are you i saw somewhere vicky and i in london, whos not here but his brother lynn. We started late till a high school over 40 some years ago. Landis and on the front row and and cynthia always good to be with you. The city is indebted and appreciate the partnership in relationship to the community and the alliance we have forged together so us continue to work towards a future of shared progress and enduring friendship. Thank you. Thank you mr. It is now, my honor to welcome philippine consul general rivas to the podium to make remarks. Everyone. Morning. Firstly i want to express my gratitude on behalf of ambassador jose manuel lewis and the Philippine Embassy in washington d. C. For to the macarthur memorial and its director, amanda for inviting us to be part of todays commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the philippine american war. Its truly honor to witness a significant moment. Our shared history. Also a big a big showdown to our Filipino American veterans and those currently service, as well as a warm acknowledgment to congressman scott to norfolk Kenneth Alexander the folks at the Filipino AmericanNational HistoryHistorical Society of Hampton Roads, the council of united filipino, organized asians of tidewater, and of course the entire filipino community. Who are you you. Know, know that youre here for incredible support and presence here today. You all make this even more special. Stepping into the macarthur back in 2020 to was quite an experience for me. It felt like stepping into a time machine prepared by none other than general Douglas Macarthur himself. The place steeped in philippine history, evoking a mix of emotions from nostalgia to fascination. The connection between filipinos, americans beautifully depicted within this waltz highlights the rich and intricate histories of our nations. But before i go further, id like to share a message from the philippines secretary of, national defense, the honorable gilberto sonora jr. This is his message. Today we commemorate the 125th anniversary of the philippineamerican war, a turning point in the course of our history. We remember this war not to celebrate a conquest or mourn a defeat, but to honor the bravery and, resilience of filipinos who fought for their motherland. We recognize our history with the United States as we continue to work together, creating connections that go beyond the best. This commemoration is an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to diplomacy, collaboration and Mutual Respect among nations. As we forward. Let us reflect on the Lessons Learned and the our two nations have made. We must always remember the fallen honored the veterans and ourselves to building a nation in which the struggles of the past paved the way for a more harmonious and corporate world. So to put things into perspective, the philippineamerican war was a defining year for both nations emerging from the shadows of colonial rule and, charting our own path forward. Picture yourself in the midst of the battle of manila in 1898, just four months after the pivotal battle, manila bay. Theres a palpable sense of, hope and anticipation among filipino revolutionaries as american storm into intramuros or the walled city, then the capital of philippines. Yet despite the spanish colonizers retreating and racing white flag, filipinos blocked from entering the city, leading to the realization that philippine independence wasnt imminent as hope. Meanwhile, over at the malolos congress, General Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as the president of the philippine by the start of 99. President , although boldly declared the philippines independent from United States with of the declaration plastered across manila. This declaration a symbol of our nations aspiration since eventually found its way here to the macarthur memorial, where it will be on permanent display. The subsequent conflict with the United States, while fraught with the realities of war, also showcased the resilience and determination of the filipino people in our quest for independence. Despite the hardships, there emerged a remarkable renewal of trust and friendship between filipinos and americans, as evidenced by their shared experiences during the fall of corregidor and bataan. Today, as we gather to commemorate the spirit of the moment lets celebrate the progress weve made in our relationship. Lets embrace reconciliation and collaboration. Acknowledged the intricate history that binds us as partners. Allies. Let us reaffirm our commitment to to the democracy. See peace and prosperity, drawing inspiration from the lessons of the past to build a Brighter Future for generations to come. So heres to renewing our commitment to fostering a relationship built on respect. Understand ending and shared aspirations together through dialog, cooperation and a steadfast dedication to our common values. We can strengthen the bonds between our nations and contribute to a more harmonious world. Thank you all for being today. And heres to the next hundred and 25 years and beyond. Of strong, enduring bonds between philippines and the United States. My boy. Just. Thank you very much, sir. We would now like to invite congressman scott, mayor alexander, colonel la reba, or consul general arribas and colonel romanias max frias and dr. Cynthia romero to the stage to unveil again all those 1899 proclamation. Please. When youre ready for whatever thats about. To ring in so ive done this once or twice. So this how u. S. Works and we look straight ahead here at all three. Well, i have to tell you that we continue to work. So straight ahead, no doubt, we look surprised surprised to the shaking is still parts of the straight ahead. So previously when. Two three. 000 thank you very much. The. Our team will now prepare the proclamation portion for display. While they do that, we will begin several this morning and those conclude the proclamation will be on display in the great hall for everyone to see. Our first presenter today, dr. Brian linn. Dr. Lin is the Ralph R Thomas professor in liberal at texas a m and the author of numerous books, including the philippine war, 1899 to 1902 and the u. S. And counterinsurgency, the philippine war, 1899 to 1902. Please join me in welcoming dr. Lynn. Thanks very much to amanda. James zobel, jennifer for the invitation. Macarthur Memorial Foundation for hosting this event and for you all for showing up. As i preparing this talk, i recognized the problems inherent in compressing research. I in 1979 which is before any of you were born into about a 20 minute talk. So im going to apologize if i either say too little or too much, but i hope the end youll share some of my interest and enthusiasm in the experience of the american soldier in the philippines. Just like more close to my hello. Is that better . Even closer. All right. Im sorry if im blowing you guys away. I have a very simple thesis that im going expound on today, which is that for about 120 years, the american soldier in the philippines has been a victim of a gross historical misinterpretation initiated, antiimperialist and continued by ideologues. All too many of them who bear academic credentials, College Textbooks vendoctrinated people in the for generio, as in a gruesome story of a racist, brutal, near genid american soldiery, suppressing a philippine independent its movement and wreaking havoc on defenseless civilians almost invariably, these authors assert u. S. Troop behavior can be typified by a line from a song one line civilize them. The crag a reference to the crag jorgensen rifle. In many ways this is as bad stereotype as those that the veterans have endured for four or five generations now. Its problem with this textbook version has continued, despite repudiated by scholars in both the United States and the philippines. And let us leave aside the fact that Many American soldiers were not equipped with crag jorgenson rifles. Or leave aside also the first reference that ive ever found to song is actually after the war in 1902. So that the soldiers at the time were not singing it or. What anyone in the audience like to be typecast for some heavy metal or country western blues ballad they screamed out when they were teenagers for the rest of their lives. Lets turn to practical matters. Even had not wanted to. A preponderance of evidence suggests, and by the way, that they did not. How could a for of between ,040 6000 effective soldiers inflict such a precise of casualti oan enemy that was conducting warfare in the jungles, in the rice paddies, in the grasslands. And we want to be brutally frank. This interpreter nation cast those who so courageously American Call on those asian people such as miguel over one kiss the bill, more brothers, so forth, as little more than passive victims. And its a derogatory to both the american soldiers and to those who resisted them. Now, without in any way, criticizing my hosts i think its useful for since im talking about the portrayal of american soldier to talk about how the war is portrayed. This is a wonderful painting pears on your program. Unfortunately its purely the creation of an authors artists imagination, probably from about 8000 miles away. There was an engagement where, immaculate lines of khaki colored americans char equallsed, Philippine Revolutionary soldi similarly, the drawing of american soldiers marc throughcan in the 10th of february, which is six days after the war began. Ive often seen use as a reference to the property campaigns of two and a half years later who actually was responsible. Burning caloocan is still probably just debated, but it urban combat that in fact, when people get into ng in cities, property destruction and burning occursas nothing often to do with. The motives of the people involved. That photograph at the is actu tru it was taken in the feb or march 1899 en american soldiers were in large formations and as you can see, posing in a trench. This is an actual picture of at campaigning in the was like. A handful of soldiers patrolling in the boondocksa rd that actually cesut of the philippines plodding through swamp high grass. No fancy ufos, no horses. And in fact, no enemy in sight. Thats combat in the philippines. Its one of the few pictures we have passed of the big unit battles 1899. And you can see its a small group of soldiers mewhere on a rice paddy having taken fire, perhaps a sniper taking off a sing there, trying to see it was there. So immune to danger, the two of them were standing up there trying to see what was up there and who was shooting at us. How would they know if they hit anything . Though i wouldnt be surprised to find out that they did. Yeah. Shot at least five of them. You know, so you can get an idea. Im so skeptical about these precise casualty figures. This will be no surprise to any person. It could apply to people served in World War Two or korea or vietnam or iraq. Any effort to pigeonhole the us and reduce experience to a few stereotypes such as salafism with a crack is simply ridiculous because so much of this is dependent on so many variables. When you were there, where you were there, who you were dealing with, you know, whether youre up in the top with new lives on or youre down in the fires or youre on samarra, which is a pretty different place. And and and forth, you know, its all depending. The other thing we have to remember is that there are three different armies. The experience, the us soldier. Depends on what army they re in. Oka