An Introduction

[markswastate]

Hello all. I was led to this forum by a friend with similar interest concerning the defence of the Philippine Islands during WWII. He posts here as rickthelibrarian.

First off, I am a 48 yr old living in Blaine WA, and have had a long interest in the Philippines for some reason, ever since I was little. Very strange since I grew up in Kentucky!

I currently am employed as a Nurse, and married to a Filipina, we have two children together.

My Father in Law is a survivor of the Bataan Death March, still alive and kicking at 86 years old.

Before my present job I served 12 years in the US Army in positions form Morse code interceptor to Voice interceptor with a German language training.

I had talked to Rick before about attempting to do an early WWII/Bataan impression, and have collected up a few items to start me on my way.

It is great to see such interest here, especially about a group of heros such as the Philippine Scouts AND the Filipino Soldiers who gave so much under horrible conditions.

I hope I am welcome here, and look forward to meeting new friends and fellow enthusiasts.

[legionnaire]

Hi Mark,

Welcome aboard to this forum. Thank you for joinning us here and glad to have you who recognizes the sacrifices of American and Filipino soldiers in the Pacific. it is really important that we educate and remind the public about this forgotten heroes of Bataan and the Death March survivors.

Hope you get to show and share to all of us here the items you have collected.

We were is Tacoma, WA this year on the Philippine Scout Reunion and this coming year it will be in San Francisco. Hope you can join us there. Please let us know if you plans on doing a Philippine Scout impression and if we can be of help.

Was your father in law a scout or with the Philippine Army? Hope you can share some info about him here too.

The moderator Victor is on Christmas vacation in Manila but does check here.

Once again welcome and mabuhay!

Philip

[VeeVee]

Mark,
Welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place. Maybe you can tell us stories about your father in law. Happy new year. -victor

[markswastate]

Thanks for the welcome guys!

My Father in Law was assigned originally to the 1st Infantry Div PA before the war, and during the defense of Bataan was attached to the US Army. There was enough evidence/paprework of this that he was able to obtain his US Citizenship.

When my wife and I were dating I asked him one time which rifle he used during the war, and his reply was a classic.

"We used the Enfield rifle. VERRRy powerful! Killed lots of Japanese!"

Can't get a better reccomendation than that

Unfortunately to this day he does not talk much about his war experiences, and still suffers from nightmares a couple of times a week.

[rickthelibrarian]

Mark! Good to see you!! If you ever need help with any re-enacting or anything else, let me know!!

RtL