Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., served as the guest of honor and speaker in the Sunrise Ceremony that commenced the commemoration of the Philippine Veterans’ Week at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (TUKS), Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila on April 5, 2023.
“Today, we honor the veterans who are the symbols of the Filipino warrior—unbowed, indefatigable, valiant to the end. We remember all those who fought with them, our fallen heroes whose sacrifice then has made it possible for the Filipino nation of today to stand proud in the global community,” Lt. Gen. Brawner said in his address. The Army Chief, in his speech, also highlighted the heroism of the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country’s freedom.
Lt. Gen. Brawner, after the sunrise ceremony, then joined DND Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Filipino war veterans, and the youth, represented by the Boys Scouts of the Philippines and the Girls Scouts of the Philippines, in laying 81 floral offerings at the TUKS.
The traditional Sunrise Ceremony is held at the crack of dawn to symbolize the coming of new hope for the motherland. The ceremony is also a symbolic gesture of gratitude to veterans who fought valiantly to secure the country's freedom.
Photos by Pfc. Rodgen V. Quirante PA/ OACPA