We who are left behind feel the need to commune and to stay connected

with those who go before us.

The language or country or custom may be different

but we all share the same emotions.

In the acceptance of death, we honor our loved ones and celebrate our life.

Then we wonder how they are and what they're doing

Manila American Memorial

The World War II Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located about six miles southeast of Manila, Republic of the Philippines within the limits of Fort Bonifacio, the former U.S. Army Fort William McKinley.

The cemetery, one hundred and fifty-two acres in extent, is on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west.  It contains the largest number of graves of our military Dead of World War II, a total of 17,206, most of whom gave their lives in the operations in New Guinea and the Philippines.  The headstones are aligned in eleven plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery.

The chapel, a tall stone structure enriched with sculpture and mosaic, stands near the center of the cemetery.  In front of it on a wide terrace are two large hemicycles with rooms at each end.  Twenty-five large mosaic maps in these four rooms recall the achievements of the American Armed Forces in the Pacific, China, India and Burma.  On rectangular Trani limestone piers within the hemicycles are inscribed the names of 36,285 of the Missing who gave their lives in the service of America and who rest in unknown graves.  Carved in the floors are the seals of the American states and its territories.