April 9, 2007Press Advisory courtesy of Dr. Jenny Batonmalaque Contact: drjennyb@earthlink.net
Filipino Veterans Foundation: (213) 746-9093
On
April 9, the 65th Anniversary of the Day of Valor was the opening salvo of a Trilogy of events with the theme,
“Remember Bataan and Corregidor,”the defense of the Philippine Islands in World War II, sponsored by the Filipino Veterans Foundation.
Part I. April 9, Bataan Day, a Day of Valor, was held at the Filipino American Veterans Memorial at 227 Lake Street Park in the Historic Filipinotown, west of Downtown Los Angeles. The program started at 10 AM. The Master of Ceremonies was
Councilman Bob Archuleta, Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Commission of the County of Los Angeles.
The Honor Guards of the
Buhay na Kasaysayan Historical Society were the sons of Veterans of WWII, led by the
bugler, Teddy Ortega. They were followed by a Parade of surviving heroes and their wives and widows who were honored at this event.
Playing of the National Anthems ( photo courtesy of Franz Tinio Lopez)
After the National Anthems, an Invocation Prayer, honoring the heroes of Bataan, written by
Cavalier Butch Moreto, was read by
Joel Pesado.
Cmmdr. Lou Astilla welcomed the assembly, representing the Veterans Center Association.
Dr. Jenny Batongmalaque, the Executive Director have her opening remarks thanking and acknowledging all those who made this event possible and who have supported the Filipino Veterans Foundation through the years.
Councilman Eric Garcetti was given a Plaque of Appreciation by the Filipino Veterans Foundation for making the Filipino American Veterans Memorial, a reality and a testament to their valor. It was appropriately the centerpiece of today’s event in the Historic Filipinotown.
Col. Ralph Ramirez, the Director of the Education Project of the California Military History and Museum encouraged the surviving heroes of wars to tell their oral history and for it to be documented for future generations to discern.
Col. Jay Vargas, a
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and the Regional Director for USVA, represented
Secretary Jim Nicholson. He was introduced by
Col. Joseph Smith, a strong supporter of the Filipino Veterans Foundation, and the Director of the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs of the County of Los Angeles.
Col. Vargas recounted that his uncle, a Bataan defender has never missed to pay tribute to the Bataan Day observance in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where a Pillar of names of the Defenders are inscripted on that wall, until he passed on, a few months ago. He also thanked everyone for this memorial event for we will not forget the valor and service of the men and women who gave their lives to the cause of freedom.
Commissioner Steve Rosmarin, of the Jewish War Veterans in America and member of the Veterans Advisory Commission was also in attendance and gave his support, noting that the Jewish War Veterans were the first to testify in past Congressional hearings endorsing the Filipino Veterans Equity Bills.
The Keynote Speaker was the
Ambassador of the Philippines,
Willy Gaa, introduced by
Deputy Consul General Hellen Barber. He paid tribute to the valor of those who died in Bataan and Corregidor, and the survivors who are present today for their courage and patience in waiting for their full equity recognition. He thanked those who are champions of their cause in Congress and advocates who promotes memorials such as today so that their contribution to our freedom will not be forgotten.
“Taps” was played by
Teddy Ortega, followed by the laying of the wreath,
with Veteran
Peping Baclig, whose quote is inscripted on the Memorial Wall of Valor,
that
“Bataan is not our last battlefield. We are still fighting for equity.” Col. Golez, Congressional Medal of Honor Col. Jay Vargas (behind) and Silver Star & Philippine Gold Cross Col. Antonio Ortega ( not seen in photo), all Bataan Defenders accompanied him, escorted by
Ambassador Gaa.
After the Final Benediction, everyone sang “God Bless America.”
A Luncheon reception followed.
Col. Romy Monteyro and Commander Manuel Braga from San Diego announced that they would appear before the Senate Hearing on the S.57 Bill on April 11. The Veterans Center Association donated the collection from among the Veterans to help subsidize their trip to Washington as they bade them Godspeed.
Pete Feliciano Yapit from Colorado Springs, a retired U.S. Air Force also gave his full support and donation as well as
Veteran Augusto Josue, from Lake Elsinore, a Bataan defender and former POW.
Susan Dilkes of FASGI attended earlier but had to leave and
Mel Ilomin presented the Proclamation of Senator Gil Cedillo.
Melvin Tabilas represented Congressman Xavier Becerra, and Art Garcia, the People’s Core Group.
Al Alpasan represented the Regional VA of Westwood.
(photo courtesy of Frank Tinio Lopez)
The Color Guards of the Buhay na Kasaysayan Group are:
L to R- left flank rifleman Philip Garcia - PS, Bugler Teddy Ortega- 21st ID,
with Col. with Ralph Ramirez, Congressional Medal of Honor Col. Vargas and
Silver Star & Philippine Gold Cross Birgadier Gen A Ortega (ret.),
flag bearers Ray Ortega- 21st ID. and Roy Hatanaka and right flank rifleman Cisco Lacey- Iraq war veteran representing the Coast Artillery Unit of Fort MacArthur Museum.
The
Carson Veterans Choral Group entertained with their medley of patriotic songs, both American and Filipino and ballads of Bataan and Corregidor.
Virginia Bobiles led the Choral group, who were
Eden Almoneda, Celestina Yabes, Rosita Ignacio, Elvira Fernando, Teofilo and Elisa Eborda, Aurora De Guzman, Alfred and Felisa Lorenzo, and Commander Paginag. Absent was Leonardo Encarnacion and Henry Bigay, with Loreto and Antonio Pradilla.
The Carson Veterans Choir,
Left to right:
Teofilo Eborda, Elisa Eborda, Dr. Jenny, Cmdr. Pedro Paginag, Cmdr. Lou Astilla, Second Row: Aurora de Guzman, Rosita Ignacio, Eden Almoneda, Celestina Yabes, Virginia Bobiles. Last row: Alfredo Lorenza, Luis Daclan.Don Lawrence and
Rod Baton set the stage and recorded this milestone event.
WWII Veteran & Bataan Death March
Peping Baclig,
whose quote is inscripted on the Memorial Wall of Valor,
"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away..."They shall not grow old as we that are left shall grow
They shall not falter, nor will the years condemn
For in the going down of the sun and in the morning
We shall remenber them.
Remember the fall of Bataan and Corregidor!65th Anniversary Day of Valor!
April 9 - May 6 1942
with Teddy.
