by Gigi P. Montejo

Palo, Leyte (20 October) -- Today’s celebration of the 62nd Leyte Gulf Landings which was held at the McArthur Landing Memorial Park, Candahug, Palo, Leyte carried the theme “A Remembrance for Peace.”

The celebration messages delivered by the nine (9) foreign dignitaries and Philippine government officials focused on their desire to attain true peace through reminiscing the ordeals and the offering of lives of the Filipinos who fought for freedom and liberty during World War II.

In the message delivered by Mayor Teodoro M. Sevilla of the municipality of Palo, he said “…we still have much to learn about the ways of peace and how peace can be inaugurated and preserved for the world. We know only that there are two kinds of peace and two methods of securing it. There is a peace maintained by mutual love and respect of nations which acknowledge their obligations to each other resulting in brotherhood and good fellowship.

On the other hand, there is a peace maintained by demonstration of arms strength and threats of violence. Today, the leading nations of the world are experiencing that kind of peace and it is not pleasant. Peace, brotherhood and good fellowship no matter how dear they are to us when gained by threats and fears cannot endure. The cup of peace is sweet when it is filled by the milk of human kindness but it is bitter when it is held in the male’s fist.”

Messages were delivered by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Esteban B. Conejos, Jr., Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, Leyte 1st District Congresswoman Remedios L. Petilla, Palo Mayor Teodoro M. Sevilla, Australia Defense Attaché Col. Chris Burns, Canada Minister-Counselor Nick Oosterveen, Japan Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki, New Zealand Defense Attaché Group Captain Mary Elizabeth Cox, and USA Naval Attaché Capt. Mike Brooks.