Gen. McArthur Marker’s groundbreaking rites setFeb.1

City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula and other top city government officials will lead on Friday morning, February 1, the formal groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the construction of the General Douglas McArthur Marker at the Old Pier in Barangay Macabalan, this city.
This developed even as a top official from the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation based in Norfolk, Virginia, USA expressed gladness over the city government’s preparation for the commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the landing of World War II hero Gen. Douglas McArthur in Cagayan de Oro on March 13, this year.
“I know that we will be able to help each other and preserve the legacy of General MacArthur,”Bill Davis of the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation, in a handwritten letter sent to Mayor Jaraula, said. “Please let me know your plans for the MacArthur Monument dedication once they are finalized,”the official added.
Extremely passionate about the project in an attempt to relive history, the mayor even went to Norfolk, Virginia last December where he was toured by Davis to the McArthur Museum and Library and warmly met by the city officials who expressed enthusiasm to visit Cagayan de Oro and forge a sisterhood city agreement.
Mayor Jaraula envisioned the McArthur marker to be one of the top destinations in the country after its inauguration on March 13 where US ambassador Kristie Kenney and other US government officials are expected to grace the memorable event in local history.
The establishment of the marker, which will have five huge stars as its foundation, a giant replica of McArthur’s hat as its roofing, a replica of a PT Boat, souvenir shops as well as a park, hopes to further strengthen the diplomatic ties between Cagayan de Oro and the American governments.
According to history, Gen. McArthur landed at the Macabalan Wharf on the dawn of March 13, 1945 aboard a PT Boat with submarines and proceeded to Del Monte Clubhouse before his departure to Australia where he uttered the famous line, “I shall return.”
As part of the city’s grand preparation, Mayor Jaraula recently signed Executive Order No. 2008 CGJ 004 creating the MacArthur Marker Committee (MMC) with Engr. Elpidio Paras as chairman; Engr. Ruben Vegafria, vice chairman; Frank Rolida, treasurer; Arch. Richard Tan, secretary and Hong See, Albino Limketkai, Rodolfo Meñes, John Mark Sarraga and Pastor Genesis Udang as members.
The MMC is tasked to assist the city government in the establishment and construction of the MacArthur Marker; accept donations and raise funds as may be necessary; open bank account, dollar and peso denomination, with any bank under the name of the committee with the MMC chairman, MMC treasurer and the city mayor as signatories. (Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)

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