FILIPINO VETERANS FINALLY RECEIVE A U.S. MEDAL, THE GOLD MEDAL
News from the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society and Gen. AntonioTaguba from the Filipino Recognition and Education Project.
V437. This is the screen shot of the PSHS email heading. Thank you Vic Verano, he is the secretary of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society. This is the URL:
www.philippine-scouts.org/Vic sent me an email about the news that the US Government granted this Gold Medal. The contents is copied and pasted below here:
(Sent to PSHS email list)
View this email in your browser
CONGRESS APPROVES CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL FOR FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS
A message from Gen. Antonio Taguba:
December 2, 2016
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yesterday at 5:29pm, Nov 30, 2016, we witnessed from the gallery in Capitol Hill, the passage by Act of Congress of the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. Simply, this was a highly emotional and historic period in US history.
This historic act by the United States Congress to recognize the gallantry, selfless sacrifice, and honorable service of the 260,000 Filipino soldiers – men and women – who served under the United States Forces Far East in defense of the United States and Philippines has been long awaited. It took nearly 75 years to gain this recognition. While we all know and appreciate what the veterans had done to accomplish their mission, how they suffered deeply the injustice and indignation, and how their courage and loyalty to country carried their hopes through these long years, their day of justice became reality on Nov 30, 2016 – on the eve of Dec 8th – the day the Philippines was attacked by the Japanese Imperial Forces.
The Congressional Gold Medal is now their symbol of dignity and honor restored, and the triumph they had sought for a very long time.
I want to personally thank each and every one of you for accomplishing this mission for the veterans and their loved ones. We did this all for them and nothing more. There is no greater act we could have done than help them with their cause to be recognized, at last, by a grateful Nation and by an Act of Congress. They deserve this more than we can ever imagine. We are deeply and eternally grateful to them for preserving our lives in this country and Philippines. They will always serve as the beacon of inspiration for all Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, and Americans alike.
But the work does not stop here. We have much more to do in the near term. I would hope you will continue to help endure the FILVETREP mission and extend the legacy of the veterans and the significance of the Congressional Gold Medal for generations to come.
We have now elevated and preserved their prominence in American history.
Thank you for your volunteerism and service. HOOAAAAH!
Sincerely
Tony Taguba
Major General, US Army Retired
Chairman, FILVETREP
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To compile the needed roster for the award, PSHS President, Brig. Gen. Oscar Hilman is asking members to fill out the attached form and send to Alan Figuracion. It can be sent electronically via email or mailed via hardcopy. Please include a form of documentation that shows your relative to be a member of a military unit.
Please click and download this form: FilVetRepsForm.pdf
URLs Phil Scouts & Filipino Vets.
Philippine Scout Heritage Society
www.philippine-scouts.org/1940's Philippine Commonwealth Army's blue uniform
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1654/1940s-philippine-commonwealth-armys-uniformPhilippine Scouts, retired (12/26/1941)
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/507/philippine-scouts-retired-12-1941Philippine scouts heritage society reunion part1
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1149/philippine-scouts-heritage-society-reunion26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/483/26th-calvalry-philippine-scoutsVideo: Philippine Scouts reunion 2009
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/418/video-philippine-scouts-reunion-2009Uploaded to forum, Remembering Bataan, 26th Cavalry-Philippine Scouts:
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/483/26th-calvalry-philippine-scouts