US soldier who served in PH in WWII honored in Texas

Eddie Pilon

Eddie Pilon is 93 years old. He is still relatively healthy and engaging. He goes to church every Sunday morning and evening, and most Wednesdays. He even drives himself to church.

Eddie served in Philippines during World War ll. The Canton Church of Christ bulletin posted: ” Eddie was MIA/POW at Corregidor in 1942. His family was notified that he was missing in action at that time, but he later showed up unharmed.”

Congressman Jeb Hensarling spoke at the ceremony November 5, honoring this war veteran. He said “Sgt. Pilon received the World War II Victory Medal which represents service during December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946. And the Honorable Service Lapel Button for World War II represents discharge under honorable conditions during World War II.” The congressman gave Sgt. Pilon a US flag that flew over Washington.

I met Eddie last month when I worshiped at Canton Church of Christ. I wanted to do interviews about his experience in the Philippines after I heard that he was there during the war. He is hard of hearing and could not remember much. I asked his son if he could fill me in, but he said that his dad never talked about his war experiences. He said he learned more about it in the last two days than he did his entire life. Katherine Irwin, a school teacher in Canton who grew up in the same church with Eddie said, “Eddie’s generation were doers. They did not say much, but they get the job done.”

It was an honor for me to be there. Because of veterans like Eddie who got the job done, the Philippines is free. I am free. As a token of my appreciation, I gave him a pin shaped like a Philippine flag, which he proudly wore during the ceremony along with his war medals. There is not many Philippine WWll veterans left. Every chance I get in my travels around the US, I seek them and listen to their stories because I am part of their stories and they are part of mine.