Philippine Consul General Gunther Sales joined local officials and residents for the formal dedication of the City of Harahan’s veterans war memorial, honoring 16 citizens who died in military conflicts worldwide.
Among them is Private Thomas Picone, who perished in the Philippines during World War II and is interred at the Manila American Cemetery.
The memorial pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of the city’s fallen, including seven individuals either buried overseas or lost at sea.
During the ceremony, Consul General Sales highlighted the significance of Private Picone’s story as a symbol of the enduring camaraderie between the armed forces of the Philippines and the United States.
“The valiant sacrifice of Private Picone broadly reflects the camaraderie between the armed forces of the Philippines and United States, who have stood shoulder to shoulder, both in hardship and victory,” Sales said. He added that the memorial reflects the “ironclad alliance” between the two nations, one that has stood firm over decades.
While in Harahan, Consul General Sales also met with Picone’s family, Harahan Mayor Timothy Baudier, and Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. The dedication served as a moment of reflection on shared history, military service, and the bonds of international friendship.
The article was first featured on Philippine Consulate General in Houston Facebook Page on April 2025. To view the original article, please click here.
