2011 Phil. Scout Reunion - Long Beach, CA

[VeeVee]

Pictures later...



Direct link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSg_kmKQg7k

[indiosbravos]

To all of you guys again well done.

What you were doing was preserving the memories of the PS ( pics, video, written ) and honoring their legacy. Things that will be invaluable to future generations.

You guys are part of History. You guys are shaping History.

To the Veterans.... Salamat po ( Thank you )

That day is for you.....

[legionnaire]

Congradulations again to all the Philippine Scout veterans and members! Miss you all in that event. Can't wait to see Doald's completed film!!! I see a lot of familiar faces again ! Ray's in there in a class A, PA!!

I just attended a graduation ceremony in Singapore for whole new generation who do not know anything about the Greatest generation!

Hope to see most of you all next year for the 1st National reunion at Fort Stotsenburg 2012 with the Fort McKinley Chapter!

Mabuhay ang Philippine Scouts!

Philip

[jnmodeller]

Wonderful Video Vic and Congrats! to the organizers for a job well done, its great to see them dancing like the use to and a Reunion full of Love is a successful one no matter how few the attendees are. Mabuhay!

[VeeVee]

Thanks guys. Commentary to follow. For now here are some of my pictures. I'll post Rudy's pics later.

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Installment on commentary:

Rudy Cabigas was the keynote speaker. He gave a very stirring and inspiring message to the families and descendants of the Scouts. Everyone was riveted during his speech and I overheard one of the Tacoma members tell Rudy later on how she held on to every word he said till the end.

John Patterson stepped down as National President. Joe Calugas has replaced him. Gil Mislang is now the 1st Vice President.

Donald Plata showed his documentary Forgotten Soldiers in full. It was very moving and inspiring. It showed many rare original footages as well as the great acting jobs done by the reenactors. So many people are asking to purchase a copy of the DVD but it's not available yet and the film is being submitted for review at numerous upcoming film festivals.

Joe Calugas and John Patterson had a Medal of Honor panel and talked about the legacies of their dad and uncle.

I had a presentation on present day Layac and Morong, Bataan pictures -- one of the highlights was the photo of the street where the 26th troopers charged down toward the Japanese in 1942.

We showed most of the recent Philippine event photos of the Fort McKinley chapter and BNK.

A committee was formed to do a feasibility on having the reunion in the Philippines next year. They will form recommendations on various arrangements and logistics.

I had the pleasure of meeting two active duty army captains and 2007 West Point grads. They flew in to attend the reunion. They told me their good buddy in West Point is Filipino (exchange from PMA?) and that they have visited him in the Philippines since. They've been to Corregidor and Bataan.

Joe Lopez performed a tribute to Bataan defenders in the form of an Indian dance/blessing. Joe had three uncles who fought in Bataan, from the New Mexico National Guard who were part of the 200th CA.

Felipe Fernandez, David Tejada, and Dan Figuracion formed the veterans' panel and answered questions from the audience.

We had the Philippine Scout Muster at the banquet. It's a roll call we started doing last year where the names of Scouts not present at the reunion (whether deceased or unable to travel) were called and recorded as having attended, if a representative of that Scout attended the reunion (family members/descendant or close friend of the family, etc).

It's a new tradition tradition filled with pride and especially relevant as the Scouts get fewer every year.

I called the names of those Scouts and their representatives stood up to a round of applause. Then for finale, the Scouts who were physically present at the reunion were called in front to great acclaim, picture taking, grand music, etc. Then I had them start the slow dancing with their spouses, daughters or grand-daughters. It was very heart warming.

[VeeVee]

From Rudy's camera...

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[frank]

Had fun. Will edit my video clips this weekend.
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

[frank]

Video about the slide show about photos of the liberation of the Philippines from Oct. in Long Beach shown Friday at the 2011 PSHS reunion.

vimeo.com/16078037

www.scpr.org/culture/about-town/2010/10/22/photos-found-trash-recall-philippines-war-history/

[VeeVee]

Rudy's keynote message... He said other things extemporaneously delivered but this is the core and gist of the address.

Thanks Rudy! As Elena Cosio said to you that night, "I held on to your every word till the end."

-------------------------

Honored Veteran Philippine Scouts and Guests, thank you for joining us on this 27th reunion hosted by our Lt. Alexander Nininger Chapter of Los Angles. I was asked to be the Key Note Speaker tonight by my fellow comrades. I am honored. Our goal was to have Inspiration and Pride be the theme tonight and hope I can fill that. I will start with Pride.

The last few days you have heard the word Scouts, Scouts, Scouts. I have it in my blood but it took years to know of it. You see my father, his brother and a cousin were scouts, 26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts.

As a child I heard night time stories of riding, watering and walking horses, sabers, camping, saddles, and mermaids along the China Sea. I was 4-6 years old then. At 7 my dad and mom separated. I saw my dad off and on for 20 years but never really talked to him. I never knew him. Then about 1975 he was getting older and was reaching out, hoping someone would take care of him a little. I had my first house then and I would let him come by and nap, feed him a little then he would go. Soon he was coming by more often and just to make conversation I said I remembered those stories of horses, saber and mermaids. What was all that about John Wayne? He then began a story that changed my life after he passed away that had led me here with you tonight

My father said he was a pony soldier for the United States Army, a Philippine Scout. I remember my words to this day. “Get out of here! You’re kidding me!” He said no, give me a pen, I will write it down for you. (Showed Card with unit, serial number, other info)

During the next few years we talked a little bit more about his outfit, tack, equipment, his saber, that his brother was in the war with a cousin. He never mentioned who. Nor did I ask, I was so dumb then. Heck I did not even know who my relatives in the Philippines were. It was a few years but I finally sent his serial number to St. Louis and they wrote back yes your father was in the Army just like he said but no records of the 26th Cav, just service time -- a big fire destroyed major files. I was so proud of my father who I never really knew -- this old man, just bigger than that saber, riding a horse for the US Army in the Philippines. Wow.

During those days I really never asked him the right questions, what was your horse’s name, what did you eat, what kind of a shot were you, did you jump fences with the horse, how much did you make… the little things.

Well my dad passed away in 1985, with me never knowing those things and I was mad at myself. I started down my road of finding what I could of the 26th Cavalry, collecting horse equipment, pistol, saber, rifle looking for a horse. Then there was a notice in the paper for the Felton Memorial Parade in memory of veteran family members. It was then that I made a commitment to ride for my father and his outfit the 26th Cavalry. I signed up, found a horse and road in that parade for the next 20 years with the announcer always saying Rudy Cabigas riding in honor of Ciriaco Cabigas 26th Cavalry Regiment Philippine Scouts. That was in 1988 to 2008. When my daughter was born in 1990 she rode in the parade for 18years. The best times were when she rode next to me with her horse. She never wanted to miss it even when a teenager. She would say “we riding in the parade for grandpa Ciriaco this year?” She never met him but knew what it meant to me for her to be part of her history and what I was trying to do. Keep his history alive. I was so proud of her for that.

During those years research was done on the 26th Cavalry, finding out they were organized in 1922, my dad was with them in 1923 almost from the beginning, one of the first. Let’s put that in perspective…

Colonel Ramsey was 6 years old and Captain Fernandez 7 years old. Wow! Think about!! Do I have Scout in me or what… Of course I found info on the last US Charge, Bataan, Corregidor and the death march.

Then in 2002 my brother Robert, the first to the Philippines since my dad in 1927, went to meet our relatives of Saturnino Cabigas the guy in the war (remember that) well my brother took a picture of his grave and what was written on it put a smile on my face. Serial number, bronze star award and most of all 26th Cavalry (PS). Holy mother of info.
I sent in for his papers a few years later and continued more research when I hit upon the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society forum. Inside was a question board and I asked, does anyone know Ciriaco or Saturnino Cabigas. I think Chris Schaefer was first to respond. Then on Nov 3, 2006 I got a hit from yes sir, Captain Fernandez stating yes I think he was in E Troop with me. Then nothing for months I tried emailing him but no response.

It is then on April 5th 2007 the world of Philippine Scouts opened up. I was bidding on a 26th DUI pin on eBay. My eBay handle was 26th and this other guy was 26Cav. I am not sure who won, but it was bugging me, so I emailed him and the worlds walking history encyclopedia of Philippine Scouts walked into my life. Philip Garcia.

I hope I am on schedule and not boring you yet…………….

I told him my story of dad and how I was up north keeping the memory of the Scouts alive. He loved it.

He then introduced me in the Philippine Reenactors and History Forum which led me to all my new wonderful comrades, Gil, Victor, Ray , Franz , Joe and many more folks who had the same interest and passion like I did. What struck me the most, Filipinos from the Philippines who were so proud of there history. I am 60 years old and this was the most Filipinos I have met in my life. Not many around when growing up. These boys were on a mission to uphold the legacy of the Philippine Scouts like I was.

Now things were moving so fast I could not believe it. I met Victor through the site. Told him about a Captain Fernandez, He was talking to him on emails next thing I know I have a roster of E Troop dated Dec 7th 1941 with my Uncles name in it and that other cousin in WW2, Alberto Cabigas whose name I never knew.

Remember this is from never giving up all these years and trying to find my dad’s and family military history and finding sites I never knew about. So do not give up, if any one in the crowd is looking for information.

I was invited to Fort MacArthur in July 2007 to join the boys in the 2nd annual Bataan Reenactment, then Chino for Marching Through History, then from Victor, “…come to the May 2008 24th reunion in San Francisco, you are close. Meet Captain Fernandez.” It was the same day of the 20th and last parade I would ride in. I was in uniform so I said why not, best thing I ever did. I met real Scouts and someone who knew my uncle.

It was at the July 2008 Fort Macarthur 3rd Bataan Reenactors that we talked about activating the Lt Nininger Chapter in LA., before you knew it and with the blessing of John Patterson in a way, we did it.. We also started the Philippine Scout Living History Company for reenacting or community functions.

Next thing you know Gil wants to put on the 25th Reunion which I thought he did an outstanding job with the help of his community leaders. I email Captain Fernandez and he answers back. We have a Chapter at Fort Stosenburg, Philippines, one in Hong Kong and maybe plans for one in England. In 5 years we have expanded beyond our expectations. I am so proud of them all.

So again during all this I continued my research. I finally got something from the Government archives for my dad. His final statement which most saw at my display table, with the words: 26th Cavalry Regiment 1st Squad, HQ Troop. 7.50 a day, where he enlisted, where mustered out, written proof he was a pony soldier. Not family legend but History.

I found out Uncle Saturnino’s name was in the Philippine Scouts book put out by the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society on page 496 stating he was with the lost C Troop with Captain Jones were he earned his Bronze Star, he served 10 years with the 26th and Col Ramsey, he was with you on that last charge because he was with Pedro Euperio who won the DSC that day, per Captain Fernandez.

Cousin Alberto was listed as MIA 7-24 1942 then was found to have been captured and died at a prisoner of war camp - body never recovered. His father, Santiago Cabigas was my grandfather’s brother, and his sister’s address was Fort Stotsenburg - Maybe with the Field Artillery.

I will never let them be forgotten again while I am alive. I know my daughter will continue this for you and me.

So in closing I want the Vets here to know that the Scouts will never be forgotten if we or I have any say in it.

And for the young, and I mean anyone here under 90, to get out and promote your family, spread the word of this wonderful period in America’s military history. These Scouts printed it in Blood.

Keep searching and if you have information log it. Make copies, leave it at a museum, pass it on do not hide them in boxes to be lost in history to an estate sale or unknown relatives with no clue. Teach your children and they will continue to keep the Scouts History alive for future generations to come, we need you.

Again thank you Gil and Victor for this Honor.

God Bless you God Bless America, and God Bless the Scouts.

[26th]

Please excuse my spelling and such. This was just meant to be note's for me.

I had a wonderful time and special thanks to Gil Mislang for putting this on.

Rudy