Filipino WWII vets and their families, Philippine Embassy officials and community leaders gather at the World War II Memorial to mark Bataan Day last year. PHOTO BY JON MELEGRITO
WASHINGTON, DC – Supporters of Filipino World War II veterans across the country are holding a series of events to honor the heroism of more than 260,000 Filipino and American soldiers who fought for the United States in the Second World War.
April 9 marks the 74th anniversary of the fall of Bataan, one of the critical moments of World War II in the Pacific theater. In the Philippines, the Day of Valor (“Araw ng Kagitingan”) is recognized as a national holiday.
The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) for one is renewing its call to the U.S. Congress to pass the Filipino Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Award of 2015.
In San Francisco, Clif., the Philippine Consulate General, the Bataan Legacy Historical Society and Memorare-Manila 1945 Foundation will hold a Day of Valor Commemoration and open a Special Exhibit on World War II in the Philippines. The Exhibit will run from April 11-29, 2016.
In Washington, DC, FilVetREP will take part in a program of commemoration hosted by the Philippine Embassy on Friday, April 8.
Other actions nationwide include a #RecognizeBataanValor and #RecognizeFilVetValor social media campaign to secure co-sponsors to the Congressional Gold Medal legislation; letters and phone calls from around the country to lawmakers; and Op-eds on HuffingtonPost.com and other national publications.
Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), Chairman of FilVetRep, and other advocates will also be available for press interviews. Contact Jon Melegrito, FilVetREP Executive Secretary, at 202-361-0296.
WHAT: ‘Day of Valor’ Program
WHERE: Washington, DC and various locations nationwide
WHO: Veterans Advocates, Philippine Embassy Officials and Community Leaders
WHEN: Friday, April 8, 2016, 5:30 PM Wreath-laying Ceremony, World War II
Memorial followed by program/symposium at Romulo Hall, Philippine Embassy, 1600 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC, 20036. Contact Gen. Delfin Lorenzana, Tel.202-467-9410.
Saturday, April 9, 1:00 PM Community Program, Philippine Mini Mart, Troy, Michigan. Sponsored by the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG). Contact Willie Deschavez, Tel. 586-713-8261.
Saturday, April 9, 9:00 AM Wreath-laying at the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge on the corner of State Street and Wacker Drive, Chicago, Ill., followed by a program at the Philippine Consultate, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60603. Co-sponsored by NaFFAA West Illinois Region. Contact Anna Liza F. Alcantara, Tel. 312-583-0621.
Saturday, April 9, 2:00 PM Commemoration and Remembrance Ceremony, Filipino Veterans Education Center, War Memorial Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, Cal. Contact Rudy Asercion, Tel. 415-564-6262.
Saturday, April 9, 2:00 PM Wreath-laying Ceremony, followed by a program, sponsored by the Philippine Consulate of New York and the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Inc. Contact: Mae Ermita Manubay, Philippine Consulate General NY, Tel. 212-764-1330 Ext. 4013.
Monday, April 11, 8:30 AM A Day of Valor Commemoration and Opening of Exhibition on World War II in the Philippines. The Philippine Center, Kalayaan Hall, 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA. Contact the Philippine Consulate cultural@philippinessanfrancisco.org, Tel. 415-433-666 x 313; edgar@bataanlegacy.org. www.bataanlegacy.org