I feel that we have come along way to bridge the gap and share in enlightenment the tragedy of Balangiga for both sides, even though there are still many who choose not to accept certain facts that are becoming more conclusive with each passing year. The interest that certain individuals on both sides have taken in this long ago incident has produced so much more in knowledge of the matter that heretofore had never surfaced. And I feel that in some small way I have been a contributor.
I have had my many Filipino friends in mind the last week with the upcoming anniversary of the "encounter," a word I learned to use from my visit that you much prefer to use instead of "massacre."
I was so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to follow in my father's footsteps and return to Balangiga, a journey that I strongly feel he would have wished to take in his later years but was never afforded him due to both financial and health reasons. I am sure he was with me when I walked among the townspeople in their celebration parade and placed a wreath on your memorial in Balangiga to those on both sides who gave so much for their countries and way of life. He would walk among you without malice in his heart, with sad memories, I am sure, but knowing that we have made great strides in understanding, each the other, and in doing so a reconciliation of past differences can occur within the present generation.
To each one of us who are direct descendants of the participants of the Balangiga encounter, the anniversary each year can serve as a reminder of the heroic deeds of our forefathers and we can be proud to carry the banners for them into the next generation. The celebration in Balangiga each year serves to remind her people not to forget this incident in their history, and I felt so honored to have been invited to participate. I will never forget the warm welcome I received wherever I went, the hand of friendship that was always extended. And to all of those people who I will always hold dear to my heart, I want to send a special message to remember the reason and circumstance that brought us together and that, God willing, we will once again reunite in this day of remembrance.
I am looking forward to returning to Balangiga to celebrate the 100th anniversary with you in 2001, for we have yet to learn so much of one another, and I am committed to that understanding in the time left to me. I will hear the bell toll the morning of September the 28th, for my father, and for your fathers and grandfathers.
JEAN GAMLIN WALL,
daughter of Pvt. Adolph Gamlin,
survivor of the Balangiga "Massacre"