Families honor Filipino and US soldiers who died in WWII

SAN FRANCISCO, California — Family members of Filipino and American soldiers who died during World War II came together last Memorial Day at the Philippine Consulate for a simple gathering to commemorate all those who served during the war.

Joining them at the event organized by the Bataan Legacy Project were surviving WWII veterans as well as other special guests. It was also a gathering for ordinary citizens and guerilla fighters who selflessly served to defend their country.

Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, in his welcome remarks, expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the Bataan Legacy Project and cited his own family members’ experience as veterans.

Among the distinguished panel of speakers were Dan Crowley and Consuelo Hall McHugh, who recounted tales of WWII. Crowley was a member of the 17^th Pursuit Squadron and described how they fought alongside Filipino soldiers. Hall McHugh related her experiences as a young girl living in Manila while the city was engulfed in battle between the Allied and Japanese forces.

Major General Eldon Regua (Ret.) of the US Army and Colonel Michael Wells, Undersecretary of Operations of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, also spoke. Both stressed the significant contributions of all those who served during WWII, especially the Filipino and American soldiers who fought together.

Cecilia Gaerlan, founder of the Bataan Legacy Project, reiterated the importance of AB199, a piece of state legislation, which once passed will require the inclusion of the role of Filipinos

in WWII in the Social Studies curriculum of Grades 7 to 12 in California.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of a Proclamation for Bataan Legacy.  The Proclamation, signed by California Governor Jerry Brown, was presented by Wells to Gaerlan.

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TAGS: Assembly Bill 199, commemorations