At long last, some RIGHTFUL RECOGNITION!
Luck may be on the side of the Filipino veterans this Friday the 13th, as the United States House of Representatives voted on the stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included the release of $198-M to make a one-time lump sum pay of $15,000 to each of the Filipino World War II veterans who are United States citizens and $9,000 to each of the veterans, who are not US citizens and are mostly living in the Philippines. The law also protects eligibility for benefits currently received by veterans.
Although it is a victory for the Filipino veterans, it is still short of the equal recognition requested by the Filipino veterans and their families, who fought during World War II under the joint Philippine and American flag. However, for the veterans, now in their 80's and 90's, even though this is less than what they have asked, it is still better than none.
The Filipino veterans' Calvary started in 1946, when, after the 2nd World War, the U.S. Congress enacted into law the Rescission Act, which is a complete renegation of the promise made by the late President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, when he called upon the Filipinos to fight side-by-side with the Americans to protect its colony in the Pacific. After the war, the United States granted Philippine independence, the U.S. government deprived the veterans of the promised benefits. It said the veterans were now the new Philippine government’s problem.
Thus, ever since that day, the remaining Filipino war veterans are fighting to regain their honor and at least get the recognition they so deserve. With less than 20,000 of them still alive, I strongly request the United States government, particularly President Barack Obama to include the sad plight of the people who fought for the very freedom we enjoy today, in their goal to revive the economy. In the time of economic downturns, those who are most vulnerable are those who cannot fend for themselves. It is this reason why veterans deserve more attention today. The prohibitive cost of medical treatment, especially in their age and condition, highlights the reason for strong and immediate action.
I rightfully commend the efforts of the Democrats in the the Capitol. They are truly our partners since the beginning. But this humble representation strongly supports the passage of the Filipino Equities Bill for a genuine recognition of the heroism protrayed by those gallant and brave men, who fought side-by-side, balikatan, with the American servicemen during World War II, in defense of the thing we cherish the most, our freedom.
Although it is a victory for the Filipino veterans, it is still short of the equal recognition requested by the Filipino veterans and their families, who fought during World War II under the joint Philippine and American flag. However, for the veterans, now in their 80's and 90's, even though this is less than what they have asked, it is still better than none.
The Filipino veterans' Calvary started in 1946, when, after the 2nd World War, the U.S. Congress enacted into law the Rescission Act, which is a complete renegation of the promise made by the late President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, when he called upon the Filipinos to fight side-by-side with the Americans to protect its colony in the Pacific. After the war, the United States granted Philippine independence, the U.S. government deprived the veterans of the promised benefits. It said the veterans were now the new Philippine government’s problem.
Thus, ever since that day, the remaining Filipino war veterans are fighting to regain their honor and at least get the recognition they so deserve. With less than 20,000 of them still alive, I strongly request the United States government, particularly President Barack Obama to include the sad plight of the people who fought for the very freedom we enjoy today, in their goal to revive the economy. In the time of economic downturns, those who are most vulnerable are those who cannot fend for themselves. It is this reason why veterans deserve more attention today. The prohibitive cost of medical treatment, especially in their age and condition, highlights the reason for strong and immediate action.
I rightfully commend the efforts of the Democrats in the the Capitol. They are truly our partners since the beginning. But this humble representation strongly supports the passage of the Filipino Equities Bill for a genuine recognition of the heroism protrayed by those gallant and brave men, who fought side-by-side, balikatan, with the American servicemen during World War II, in defense of the thing we cherish the most, our freedom.
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