Trip Back to the Philippines
Posted January 27, 2000

Just returned from P.I. where I worked with History Channel crew doing a documentary on the Death March.   We did the Memorial Cemetery located where Fort McKinley used to be, went to corregidor, then Bataan, located the exact spot where Colonel Miller, CO, 194th Tank Bn read the surrender with tears streaming down his cheeks (I was with him).   Then went to Mt Samat, Lamoa, San Fernando, Balanga (twice), Capas and Camp O'Donnell.

Interesting trip and a surprise to see all the increase in the tall buildings in Manila.   We stayed one night at the Manila Midtown Hotel and the last night at the Manila Hotel.   Every barrio was built up along the route so that part had changed.   It still had the smell of the tropics and outside of Manila, areas rather unkept; lots of debris.   Not much rest to do any shopping or looking around, tourist style, we walked and did everything the Director asked.   I found out that any relative or person wishing info on deceased can contact the Superintendent of the Historical Monuments in Manila and receive information of the burial location together with a photo of the gravesite (the lettering and dates will be painted black-because the marble crosses are white and the engraving is difficult to read.

This trip reminded me of an incident that happened to me in San Francisco.   I was on a Street Car going down Market Street when I noticed a lady in Nurses' Cape and a Nurse Major across from me.   It was summer and rather warm to be wearing a full cape -- I asked the Major, why?   She told me the Colonel had no arms and had her tongue cut out in Manila -- I didn't ask names, but I still wonder who she was and how it all happened.   Have you ever heard of this??

Glad to be back in the good USA; nothing like home in our wonderful country !!!!

Regards,
Bill Braye
wmwebgm6@msn.com