Memorial Day celebration at Clark Veterans Cemetery

June 1, 2011

CLARK FREEPORT — In celebration of the US Memorial Day, the historical monument honoring the Unknown Dead United States soldiers, sailors and marines killed during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) has been restored.
The six-and-a-half-foot white marble obelisk was originally erected in 1908 at Fort McKinley in Manila by the local chapter of the Ladies’ Memorial Association, a national organization founded after the US Civil War.
After Fort McKinley, the monument was turned over to the Philippine military in 1947 and moved to Clark Air Force Base cemetery.
Nicked and discolored after the battles of World War II, it was repainted and patched to improve its appearance.
Mark and Del Gillen, owners of Del-Marco Carved Marble Products in Angeles City, volunteered to professionally restore the monument.
The obelisk was very carefully removed from its base and transported to their workshop where the paint was slowly removed to reveal the original marble.
Finally, it was taken back to the cemetery and is placed on a new foundation provided by Peregrine Development International and Global Gateway Logistics City headed by their President Dennis L. Wright, as part of their initiatives to restore the cemetery, including the construction of the cemetery perimeter fence.
The monument’s battle scars from World War II, including a missing chunk from a lower corner, were left as a reminder of the bitter battles in Manila.
Impressed by the excellent workmanship on the monument, including the almost perfect carving of the letters, Gillen recognized that only a highly skilled technician created the monument.
He began exploring its history and theorized that the marble probably was from the Vermont Marble Company, which in 1900 was the largest marble producer in the world.
The company was headed by an enterprising businessman and politician, Redfield (aka the “Tombstone Senator”) Proctor, who also served as governor of Vermont, US Secretary of War, and US Senator for 17 years.
The marble used most likely came from Vermont because of its color, Gillen said. (It is interesting to note that the Commander of Fort McKinley in 1908 was Brigadier General John J. Pershing who later became the highest ranking member of the United States Armed Forces ever).
Since 2005, the Clark Veterans Cemetery had been maintained through donations and volunteers from the VFW Post 2485 Clark Veterans Cemetery Restoration Association.
Since the cemetery receives no US funding, the association wants the transfer of the forgotten Clark Veterans Cemetery to an agency of the US Government to insure proper administration.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/05/31/memorial-day-celebration-clark-veterans-cemetery-158635

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com