MALOLOS CITY (PIA) — A total of 48 World War II veterans from Bulacan received their United States Congressional Gold Medals during the commemoration of the 82nd Anniversary of the Bulacan Military Area and the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II in the Philippines.
Records obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs showed that the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, signed by then-U.S. President Barack Obama, is an award in the form of a Congressional Gold Medal.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Director for Manila Benefits Office Keith Sekuterski expressed his gratitude to the living veterans and the families of veterans who are no longer alive.
He said that this is the highest expression of his country’s appreciation for the courage, strength and sacrifice of 260,000 Filipino veterans who fought under the flag of the United States, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II and as defenders of free nations.
Meanwhile, Philippine Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Pablo Lorenzo has reiterated to the living veterans and families that this is more than a medal, they are a living inspiration of life and sacrifice.
Prior to the enactment of the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, the U.S. government approved a one-time lump-sum payment for eligible Filipino World War II veterans as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The payments came after a decades-long grievance when the U.S. Rescission Act of 1946 stripped many Filipino veterans, who fought under U.S. command, of their promised benefits. Filipino veterans who are now living in the U.S. as citizens received $15,000 and $9,000 for those who remained in the Philippines.(CLJD/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
