By Simone Orendain/voanews.com - A worn-down U.S. veterans’ cemetery in the Philippines that has been in limbo for nearly two decades once again belongs to the U.S. government. Last month, President Barack Obama signed into law the placement of Clark Veterans Cemetery – just north of Manila – under the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The ground of the Clark Veterans Cemetery is spongy under the brown, crunchy grass.
Retired Army First Sergeant John Gilbert says this is because of the thick layer of gray lahar and ash that settled after nearby Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991.
“As soon as the rainy season ends it just turns to dust,” he explains, adding there’s no money for a sprinkler system. “Yeah, that’s always been a desire…Here’s another one that’s pretty low,” Gilbert adds.
Gilbert points to a mildew-streaked gravestone peeking out of the ground. There are more than 8,600 markers here, many badly worn down, on this eight-hectare property near a major intersection.
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