Lea Laddle: Cagayan de Oro : THE MACARTHUR MEMORIAL MARKER

Cagayan de Oro City, my home away from home for two years now. How time flies, yes.
Thought I’ve seen everything around, but when I googled about the “must-see spots in CDO”, reviewed the list...I murmured, “asa mani dapit sa Cagayan????”..... Now I’m decided, I MUST reach each one of them within this year, God willing. And if not, at least I tried, really tried to wish to visit them all.

By and by, I’ll be posting about these notable spots here in “The City of Golden Friendship”.

First up. THE MACARTHUR MEMORIAL MARKER

The MacArthur Memorial Marker is a landmark at Macabalan Wharf in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines which also serves as one of the attractions of the city. The wharf where the memorial marker is located was occupied by the American forces during the Philippine-American War after they seized it from the Filipinos in 1900. It was also where General Douglas MacArthur, his family and his staff landed in Mindanao in his route to Australia.

Inside and in the middle of the concrete fenced area is the peaked cap shaped monument. Inside it is a star-shaped plaque which inscribes the biography of the general and other information pertinent to the memorial site. Outside the structure is a tablet inscribing the brief history of Macabalan Wharf. The huge peaked cap is a replica of the service cap of General Douglas MacArthur, and it also serves as the roof of the open structure. It is supported by five columns on a round base. Each of the columns is superimposed with outside facing five-pointed stars which represent the rank of MacArthur. In one of the columns inside the structure is the star-shaped plaque that is placed parallel with one of the stars on the column. Also inside the structure is a replica of the glass-box contained PT 41 boat that was boarded by MacArthur, his family and his staff on their way to Mindanao.

The peaked cap shaped monument is in essence the main and most conspicuous fixture of the place. It is made of fiber glass and steel bars and is 5 meters in height and 8 meters in diameter. In front of the cap's crown is a US coat of arms, and on the visor and on the band are golden oak leaves embellishment.

MacArthur along with his family and staff fled Corregidor Island fortress off the shore of Manila in compliance with the order of President Theodore Roosevelt of the United States. His departure saved him from possible capture by the Japanese who had earlier conquered Bataan where American and Filipino troops converged to defend it from the Japanese.

The general and his companions landed at Macabalan Wharf on March 13, 1942 where American and Filipino soldiers were waiting for them. Amid threat of Japanese detection, he proceeded to Camp Phillips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and stayed at the Del Monte Club House for several days. From the Diclum Airfield a B17 Flying Fortress flew MacArthur, his family and his staff to Australia on March 17, 1942 where he would direct the allied forces in their campaign against the Japanese.

The MacArthur Memorial Marker was inaugurated on March 13, 2008 or on the 66th anniversary of General MacArthur's landing at the Macabalan Wharf. Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos led the ceremony. He was joined by former Mayor Constantino Jaraula and other local officials. Others who were present were representatives of the US embassy and the Joint US Advisory Group (JUSMAG) which was represented by Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Riker.

The construction of the memorial marker is a fitting tribute to one of the most famous American generals who distinguished himself as an officer during the American occupation of the Philippines, during the Philippine Commonwealth era, and during the Second World War that resulted to the defeat of the enemy.(source :http://noelautor.hubpages.com/hub/The-MacArthur-Memorial-Marker-of-Cagayan-de-Oro-City-Philippines)