LABINTATLONG beterano ng World War II ang binigyan ng US Congressional Gold Medal kahapon sa U.S. Embassy sa Filipinas na maituturing na pinakamalaking pagkilala ng United States government sa mga nagtatandaan nang beterano na kauna-unahang ginawa sa Filipinas.
“Marking ito ng kauna-unahang karangalan na ipinagkaloob sa Philippine soil,” pahayag ng U. S. Embassy
Pinangunahan ni Ambassador Sung Kim ang pagpapakilala sa 13 Filipino World War II veterans at paggagawad ng bronze replicas ng Congressional Gold Medal na maituturing na U.S. Congress’ highest civilian honor’.
“As we remember those who defended Bataan, those who fought in Corregidor, and those who liberated Manila, we pause to reflect and honor their lives and legacies,” ani Ambassador Sung Y. Kim sa ginawang seremonya.
“What they have freely given is beyond our power to repay, but on this day and at this time, we recognize our debt for their sacrifices with deep respect and profound appreciation,” ani Kim
Noong Hulyo 1941, si President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ay nanawagan sa mahigit 250,000 Filipinos upang umanib at sumabak sa digmaan kasama ang U.S. military units at guerilla forces para ipagtanggol ang Filipinas.
Sa pagitan ng Hulyo 1941 at Disyembre 1946, lumaban ang Philippine servicemen kasama ang mga miyembro ng United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni General Douglas MacArthur, kasama sina Major General Jonathan Wainwright, at Major General Edward King.
“Isang malaking karangalan na magawaran at tumanggap ng Gold Medal mula sa United States Congress,” ani Col. Paterno V. Viloria, isang retirado ng Philippine Army.
“I am overjoyed that after more than seven decades, we Filipino Veterans of World War II, who fought side by side the United States Armed Forces, are finally getting the honor and recognition we deserve for our bravery and heroism, and our selfless sacrifice and dedicated service during the war.” VERLIN RUIZ
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