FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila –The Philippine Army joins war veterans and their descendants together with boy and girl scouts in a Sunrise and Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Friday, April 5, 2019.
The Sunrise Ceremony is a tradition where Filipino veterans gather and offer flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor their fallen comrades.
Meanwhile, the Wreath-Laying Ceremony is an institutional way of venerating the memory of Filipino patriots and martyrs who died for the country.
The event marks the beginning of 77th Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week celebrations which will be highlighted by the Commemorative Rites at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on April 9, 2019 with President Rodrigo Duterte as Guest of Honor and Speaker.
Seventeen-year-old Senior Boy Scout Mark Ivan Canaria said that he was "inspired by their sacrifices when they put forth the welfare of others over their own". He said wants to adopt that mindset as he emphasized his duty to the country.
“We remind ourselves and the youth of our nation about the singular sense of national pride and patriotism that have enabled our veterans to serve our country with courage and resilience. Let us not only keep alive the spirit of heroism of our war veterans but continue to uphold the ideals which they stand for then as now,” said Maj. Gen. Rizaldo Limoso, Army Vice Commander, as he presided over the Sunrise Ceremony.
National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reminded the participants that “the unknown soldier honors the memory of all those men and women who laid down their lives for his country.”
The theme for this year is, “Sakripisyo ng Beterano ay Gunitain, Gawing Tanglaw ng Kabataan Tungo sa Kaunlaran".#
