2008 National PSHS Reunion

[legionnaire]

The following appears on the website of US-Japan Dialogue on POWs, Inc.
at www.us-japandialogueonpows.org.

Ms. Kinue Tokudome is the organization’s Executive Director and a PSHS member.



Philippine Scouts Heritage Society reunion
On May 23 – 24, 24TH annual reunion of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society
was held in Burlingame, CA.

Philippine Scouts were General MacArthur's soldiers—the guys who fought America's first battle of World War II. The Philippine Division. Probably the best trained and possibly the best prepared U.S. Army division at the outset of the war….They were mostly Filipinos serving as enlisted soldiers in United States Army units commanded by American officers.




Brigadier General Oscar B. Hilman (US Army, Ret.), (standing third from left) one of the only three Filipino Americans who have attained the rank of general, was the Keynote Speaker. His grandfather, father and two uncles walked the Bataan Death March. The grandfather and one uncle were killed on the March.

National President Sen. John Patterson (standing middle)

www.us-japandialogueonpows.org/


From: J. Michael Houlahan
Philippine Scouts Heritage Society

[VeeVee]

This past Memorial Day weekend, a group of us reenactors and new members of the Philippine Scout Heritage Society had the rare opportunity to honor a group of Philippine Scout WW2 veterans of Bataan at the annual PSHS reunion. We served as the color guards at the opening ceremony in the morning of May 24th, and then again to kick off the evening banquet. I must say that meeting and honoring these gallant 90+ year old veterans are among the most soul-fulfilling and humbling experiences I've ever had. I have nothing but the utmost respect and salutes for these men and their families.

Here are some photos of the event.

Ladies and Gentlemen... The Philippine Scouts:


The Philippine Scouts with guest of honor Brig. Gen. Oscar Bautista Hilman (US Army Ret.), Senator John Patterson (PSHS President), and the color guards and organizers of the event.

The Scouts introducing themselves at the dinner banquet (click thumbnails for bigger picture)


Being interviewed by a local TV crew:


Me with Felipe Fernandez (26th Cavalry trooper), posing with a cavalry charge artwork:


The Scouts start the dancing:
(video)




Dionisio Perez (12th Medical Battalion) still charming the ladies

[VeeVee]

The color guards





Garand rifles courtesy of Gil Mislang

[VeeVee]

Frank with Sen. Patterson


Me with Joe Calugas Jr. - son of Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Jose Calugas of the 88th Field Artillery PS. Posing with a painting depicting Joe Sr's action that won him the MOH.


Paul Ruiz with Capt. Felipe Fernandez


The color guards/reenactors with Sen. John Patterson


With Brig. Gen. Oscar Hilman


With Eulalio Arzaga of HQ Troop, 26th Cavalry PS

[VeeVee]

The displays

Pins, patches, bolos, and uniforms courtesy of Bob Capistrano, PSHS historian.




Web gear and flags courtesy of Philip Garcia

The registration table at the hotel lobby

[arm61uic]

Victor, these are wonderful photographs, and a timely video that pictures my parents, SFC Ricardo R. Maravillas and Bonifacia Maravillas dancing at its conclusion (I wish we could see the entire dance!). Kudos to you for the great work you did taking and then posting them. Kudos to all the Philippine Reenactors and Historians.
The Philippine Scouts were special warriors! HUAH to that!
Dr. Anthony Rama Maravillas

[legionnaire]

Hi Dr. Maravillas,

Thank you so much for hosting us and I had great time in the reunion. An Officer and an gentleman you are. See you again next reunion in LA.

Philip

[milspec]

Greetings Gentlemen,

Looks like you had a successful event. The pictures looks great and looks like you guys had a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Is that av8tor beside you Victor? Great equipment display Philip. Maybe next time you could have a mannequin dressed up in full combat gear. I'd also like to commend Mr. Capistrano on his excellent collection. Maybe his collection can be featured in detail in this forum. It looks very extensive,interesting and very authentic.

Thanks again for sharing.

Milspec

[legionnaire]

Thanks Milspec, Yes we all had a fantastic time and renewing friendships with the society Vets and members. It was worth it!
This was my best color guard I have ever participated in. My congradulations to all our chapter members.

Rudy Cabigas showed up and that added to the fun and reunion. Thanks for helping on the pins Rudy!

That was just the basic stuff I could bring on our road trip to SF. Next year it will be in LA on May again and will be more extensive display. I hope you can join us for this, our very first time to host it in LA. So you have one year to prepare for it.

Bob Told us that only half of his collection. But really the most extensive pin collection I have ever seen. He has been collecting since he was a kid!

Philip

[26th]

Hi All:

It was a privilage to have met those Scout's Friday evening. I am so happy that I made time for that. I was booked, but I had to see them. You just never know.

The short time I was there, I felt welcomed by all. I wish they had San Miguel Beer Philip.

Sorry I missed you Victor, but I sure had a great time with the other guys. I heard you made my 57th DI pins proud.

To all who assisted in helping with it, "well done". Sorry I made some pictures to big. Rudy/26Cav

[VeeVee]

That's a great shot with all the 26th Troopers present. I'm glad you made the trek. That was priceless. Sorry to have missed you. Thanks for lending the 57th DI pins. Anywhere-Anytime!

[rickthelibrarian]

Great pictures -- almost like being there. You have some real memories to treasure!! Thanks for the great report!!

[VeeVee]

Comment sent in by Guy Hilbero of the 26th Cavalry Memorial Regiment being assembled at Fort Stotsenburg:

DEAR TROOPER VICTOR,

THANK YOU SO MUCH IN SENDING THE GREAT PHOTOS OF GALLANT FILIPINO PHIL. CAVALRY SCOUTS WHO ARE STILL LIVING AND YOU LOOKING SHARP WITH YOUR FULL UNIFORM AND PERFORMING ONE OF THE HONOR GUARDS.

WHAT A GREAT TIME YOU ALL HAD.HOW I WISH I COULD ATTEND IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE TO MEET THE REMAINING GREAT FILIPINO WARRIORS OF OURS. I GIVE MY SNAPPY SALUTE TO ALL OF THEM, THE LIVING, THE FADING AND THE REST IN HEAVENS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU ON PHOTOS THE FIRST TIME, LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE THE YOUNGEST OF ALL THE REENACTORS. BUT ALL LOOKING GREAT AND SMART. PLEASE GIVE MY BEST REGARDS AND POWER TO ALL.

PLEASE TRY TO GET SOME SUPPORT TO ALL OF THEM BY WAY OF DUPLICATING SOME OF THE COLLECTIONS THEY HAVE IN ORDER FOR ME TO PUT UP A 26TH U.S CAVALRY , PHIL.SCOUT MUSEUM IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE IN ONE OF THE VERY ORIGINAL BARN HOUSES AT FORT STOTSENBURG WHERE THEY ALL STARTED.A VERY UNIQUE PLACE FOR THEM TO REMEMBER AS PART OF OUR GREAT CULTURAL HERITAGE HERE, BOTH AMERICA AND PHILS. RIGHT?
WITH YOUR HELP AND OTHERS , WE WILL SUCCEED.

CHEERS, TROOPER GUY

P.S.
TODAY I ATTENDED THE U.S. AND PHIL MEMORIAL DAY WITH THE PRESENCE OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS 2485 CHAPTER, AMERICAN LEGIONS, AMERICAN EMBASSY DELEGATES, JUSMAG CHIEFS , 600TH AIR BASE WING, PHIL. AIR FORCE, LOCAL GOVTS HERE AT CLARK CEMETERY WITH MY CAVALRY UNIFORM TOO. A GREAT DAY TO REMEMBER. IM TRYING TO CAMPAIGN ALL OVER FOR THE CAVALRY TO BE THE LIVING MUSEUM HERE.WITH ALL OUR EFFORTS TOGETHER, WE COULD BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL.

CHEERS, GUY

[legionnaire]

WOW! Thanks for sharing this email letter. Yes we need to help them set up a memorial unit a the home Fort of the 26th Cav.

We plan on inviting Tourism XO Guyindra Hilbero to our reunion next year and hopefully he can join us.

Philip

[legionnaire]

Reunionþ
From: John Patterson ([e-mail])
Sent: Tue 6/03/08 4:43 PM


Hi Everyone!

The reunion was a great success due to the efforts of many people. First and foremost, Cion and her team, on behalf of the Golden Gate Bay Area Chapter, did a magnificent job. Cion, President of the Chapter, had problems to contend with at the last minute with the hotel, a leaking ceiling and more. It all went really well, thanks to Cion and her group.

There are so many people to thank and acknowledge. I want to thank General Hilman, General Peters and Kinue Tokudome for their contributions during our presentations and panels. The presentations and panels were reunion highlights.

Colonel Nicoll Galbraith, Jr., MD, kicked off the reunion with a presentation entitled "Reminiscences". He told marvelous stories regarding his youth in the Philippines and the harrowing tale of his father's travels in northern Luzon after the fall of Corregidor. General Wainwright asked Galbraith to find the remaining units and have them lay down their arms so that the Japanese would not slaughter their Filipino and American captives. Colonel Galbraith was ably supported by his daughter, Susan, who put together a first rate electronic presentation.

Dr. Anthony Maravillas discussed his survey findings as part of his presentation
"Perspectives of the Children of Scouts."
The survey yielded highly useful information regarding how the children felt about their fathers who endured so much but spoke so little about their experiences. Dr. Maravillas plans on doing a paper regarding his findings and their implication for the Society's future.

Donald Plata is working on a documentary concerning the Scouts. He showed a trailer of "Forgotten Soldiers" which was very well done and is a harbinger of things to come. Complementing this presentation was a video done by the reenactors of the Nininger Chapter which showed their activities and was interwoven with actual film footage of the Scouts.

Malcolm Decker made a very interesting presentation concerning his new book, From Bataan to Safety which told the story of two brothers who cared for many survivors of the Death March who escaped and made their way into the mountains of western Luzon.

The final event was a panel conducted by Paul Ruiz and David Rosen that was suitably titled "Executing the Mission of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society." Their presentation elicited spirited conversations and recommendations for future action. Paul and David and the entire audience resolved not to have the recommendations shelved. After the session, individuals and the Calugas Chapter came forward and committed to follow-up on such activities as scholarships, data base development and more.

One thing that was very noticeable this year was the coverage we received from the media. At one point, there were three TV stations in attendance interviewing Scouts and their families. Our thanks to Chris Schaefer for his outstanding work as the Society's Public Relations Officer. Part of our outreach remarked upon were the outstanding efforts related to our website managed by Mike and Christa Houlahan. Mike's editing of the Newsletter was the subject of favorable comment several times during the reunion.

New this year was the attendance of the Philippine Scout reenactors who were present for entire two days. They participated in several ceremonies. Their uniforms are superb and their activities form another wonderful outreach mechanism for the Society. The reenactors have reactivated the Lt. Alexander R. Nininger, Jr. Chapter in Los Angeles. We welcomed them into the Society. They are a very positive asset to the Society as we continue to tell the story of the Philippine Scouts.

The business side of the two day get together saw the election of Goody Calugas as Treasurer and yours truly as President, each for three year terms. The finances of the Society are solid. This was confirmed by the Audit Committee Chaired very ably by Cindy Warren with Aniceto Bagley as a member. I want to thank other officers who were active during the year especially Joe Calugas, First Vice President of the Society and President of the Captain Jose Calugas, Jr. Chapter, Nora Warren, the Society's Secretary, our Assistant Historian Bob Capistrano whose displays of uniforms and medals are always a big hit.

Our reunion concluded with a dinner attended by 200 individuals all there to honor the Scouts. Society Achievement Awards were given to Menandro Parazo, the Society's 1st Vice President and President of the John I. Pershing Chapter in El Paso and John Olson, the Society's Historian. We honored them for their outstanding contributions to the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society.

General Oscar Bautista Hilman gave an inspirational keynote speech that honored the Scouts, their history and their legacy. We were fortunate that General Hilman spoke to us. General Antonio Taguba will try to be our keynote speaker next year.

Thanks to Olive Rosen for sharing her photos of prior reunions and for her kind remarks about what the Philippine Scouts and the Society meant to her husband, the late Colonel Melvin Rosen.
When we honored the Scouts Saturday afternoon during the wreath ceremony, I believe we all felt a sense of loss that so many of the Scouts are not with us. I hope there was also a sense of peace that had been assured for us by their sacrifices.

The future of the Society and our ability to continue to honor the Philippine Scouts, so ably dealt with by Paul Ruiz and David Rosen, as noted above, are dependent on the next generations carrying forward the history and legacy of these extraordinary US Army soldiers. I was very pleased that so many Scout descendants not only attended the Reunion, but played major roles throughout the intense two days that we met.

Speaking of the next generation, I am pleased that the newly reactivated Nininger Chapter has agreed to host the May 2009 Reunion in the Los Angeles area. I look forward to seeing you all there.

As General Royal Reynolds, our first Society President used to say "Mabuhay ang Philippine Scouts!"


Sen. John Alexander Patterson, President
Philippine Scouts Heritage Society.