“United We Stood. United We Stand.” The words silently echo, from the darkest days of World War II to the sunshine-filled morning at the Manila American Cemetery on the Saturday before Memorial Day, as volunteers from all walks of like came to place flags on the gravestones of the fallen and to honor the memory of all who gave their lives in service to their nations and their ideals. In all, some 34,000 flags will be place in their memory.
“United We Stood. United We Stand.” The words quietly inspired members of the ECLARO team, composed of both Filipino and American professionals, as they knelt together and placed flags of the United States and the Philippines at the impossibly white grave markers with a profound respect for the shared heritage held here. We collectively remember the extraordinary valor and profound sacrifices made by those who, all those decades ago, fought and gave their lives together. It is a time when the interwoven histories of two nations are deeply acknowledged, recognizing the ultimate price paid to secure the freedoms we value today.
The connection between the U.S. and the Philippines runs deep. It is shaped by a history of standing shoulder-to-shoulder through conflict and beyond. “Our history together and the strong ties, as a result of shared wartime experiences and the current mutual defense alliance, have helped shape the economic and cultural connections between the two nations,” shares Ray Pereira, ECLARO’s Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Development and a former United States Marine who now calls Manila his home. “Today, the bond between the United States and Philippines strengthens our strategic partnership to address the current regional challenges. ‘United We Stood, United We Stand.’
“As I reflected on the reason why we were all there, it made me even more proud to be an American and a forever friend of the Philippines,” he adds. “Our friendship is historical and looking forward, will be stronger than ever.”
Memorial Day is a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for freedom. It’s a moment to honor the brave men and women whose courage forged a legacy of liberty, and at the Manila American Cemetery, the shared history of the United States and the Philippines is etched in stone. This sacred ground is home to the largest number of U.S. WWII military dead of any cemetery worldwide, the final resting place of 16,636 Americans and 570 Philippine Scouts, as well as 3,744 unidentified soldiers, who served in the Pacific Theater. It stands as a powerful symbol of the unbreakable bond between the two countries—one that is rooted in shared wartime struggles and a mutual commitment to peace and prosperity.
This enduring partnership is not just a matter of geopolitics—it’s a living, breathing relationship that thrives in cultural exchanges, economic collaboration and mutual respect. For the youth for whom WWII may feel too far in the past to make a real connection, Memorial Day offers a chance to connect with the values that defined what came to be known as the Greatest Generation. Pereira emphasizes the importance of this legacy.
“I would share with the younger generation that the Greatest Generation is remembered for leaving their homes and families to fight far away, enduring hardships for freedom, highlighting the importance of duty and honor," he says. "We should appreciate the freedoms gained through the sacrifices made by the men and women of the military and embrace responsibility in civic life, countering modern tendencies towards conveniences.”
In this spirit of remembrance, the ECLARO team stood together, reflecting on the hallowed rows of markers that signify final resting places. Each grave represents a life given, a story of profound courage, and a dedication to a future secured. This shared understanding of sacrifice deepens our appreciation for the enduring bond between the Philippines and the United States, a connection forged through shared historical challenges and sustained by generations of mutual respect. As we reflect on the immense cost of freedom, we are reminded that peace and prosperity are not merely aspirations but achievements born from shared sacrifice and unwavering resolve.
This was not Pereira’s first time planting flags and attending the Memorial Day ceremonies at the Manila American Cemetery, but he was still moved by “the overwhelming response by the community to volunteer to place flags on the headstones to memorialize the men and women who sacrificed their life for freedom. The Memorial Day Service on Sunday, May 25th was truly inspirational.”
Standing in the cemetery with fellow ECLARO team members, who were making their first such visit during the Memorial Day events, was a uniquely moving experience, notes Pereira, for whom there was no one moment that stood out, but instead “three ‘one moment’ experiences that resonate with me,” he says. “The Ceremonial Wreath Laying, Firing Salute and Taps, Retirement of Colors. These three will continue to play out in my mind throughout the coming weeks, months and until Memorial Day 2026. It’s an experience that you just can’t forget”
As so too, none of us will never forget the sacrifices of all who have given their lives in service.
United We Stood. United We Stand.