The American Cemetery is apparently the largest such
facility outside the U.S. and memorializes the many thousands (including
Filipinos) who died fighting during World War II. From Makati, I walked to
the cemetery crossing EDSA at Ayala Avenue to McKinley following the road
through Forbes Park past the Manila Polo and Golf Clubs. The cemetery
consists of acres of white marble crosses and Stars of David aligned in
neat contoured rows silently marching up the hillside to the memorial.
The circular memorial contains the names of those missing in action engraved
in marble columns, huge wall mosaics depicting battles of WWII, a small
chapel, and has a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.
The late afternoon that I visited, there were few other
visitors and even the caretakers seemed to blend into the scenery. The
American Cemetery is a quiet corner in the Manila metro-area for anyone
trying to escape the hubbub or who would like to take in that chapter of
history.