Day Trip to MacArthur Memorial National Park in Tacloban

Another thing Dave wanted to do while we were in the Catbalogan area was bus to Tacloban to see the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park.

Short history lesson: In brief, at the start of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur was in command of all US troops in the Philippines. When the Japanese attacked Manila a day or so after Pearl Harbor, it quickly became obvious that the Japanese were way more prepared than the Americans were. As the defense of the PHilippines turned into a seige, President Truman ordered General MacArthur to leave the Philippines ASAP, rather than risk capture by the Japanese. In the stealth of night, MacArthur escaped in a PT boat, eventually making his way to Australia, where he assumed command of Allied forces in the Western Pacific. When he arrived in Australia, he made his famous "I Shall Return" speech. One of the PT boats that escorted MacArthur out of the Philippines
And after 3 years of bitter fighting, taking back the western Pacific island by island, he did return to the Philippines. This park commemorates that historic day when we did return to help liberate the Philippines. At the Park
Though MacArthur acted like the return to the Philippines was all his doing, he had a LOT of help, and not just from Americans. Commemorating some of the "Helpers"
Statues depicting MacArthur and Staff Wading Ashore

Other than the statues and the placques, there wasn't much to see. The "Museum" was closed.

The other place Dave wanted to visit was a hotel where MacArthur stayed, and which has a little historical gallery. Hotel Alejandro