CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government here on Monday, April 10 joined the nation in commemorating Araw ng Kagitingan and the 75th anniversary of the Death March by unveiling the “Wall of Valor” dedicated to Filipino heroes.
Led by Mayor Edwin Santiago, fallen Fernandino and other soldiers who served in defense of democracy for the country during World War II and the infamous Bataan Death March were honored at the old train station in Barangay Sto. Niño, where the Kilometer 102 stands, symbolizing the last stop of the dearth marchers before being herded to Capas, Tarlac.
“Sa araw na ito, dinadakila natin ang mga kababayan na nakipaglaban at nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bayan noong 1942. Sa pagbagsak ng Bataan, libo-libong mga Pilipino ang naging bilanggo ng digmaan, sapilitang pinaglakad mula Bataan patungo dito sa San Fernando Train Station, upang muli na namang paglakbayin hanggang Tarlac. Masasabi natin na ang ating kinatatayuan ngayon ay pangunahing saksi sa pagkasawi ng ating mga sundalo, mga kababayan, at marami pang iba. Ang lugar na ito ay sagrado para sa ating lahat lalong-lalo na para sa mga beterano (On this day, we honor our brothers who fought and gave their lives for the country in 1942. With the downfall of Bataan, several Filipinos became prisoners of war. They were forced to march from Bataan to San Fernando Train Station, only to walk again until Tarlac. What we are standing on now is a witness of our soldiers’ and brothers’ loss. This is a holy place for us especially for the war veterans),” Santiago said.
The Wall of Valor was installed at the San Fernando Old Train Station and bears the names of fallen Fernandino soldiers.
Some of the heroes honored in the said wall are Colonel Diosdado Garcia, Col. Samuel Quiwa, Oreste Alejandrino and Quintuin Mendoza Balingit, among others.
Meanwhile, aside from the unveiling of the Wall of Valor, city officials also offered flowers at the Death March Marker also located at the train station.
