The Price of the Filipino Sacrifice

Monday, February 23, 2009

60 years have passed since the government of the United States reneged on its promise to give full veterans rights to the Filipinos who volunteered to fight during World War 2. Now, approximately only 15000 of the troops are alive and they are finally receiving some compensation for their service to the US. Many of them fought in the battles that decided the fate of the war in the Pacific. We remember the many Filipinos who sacrificed their blood for the freedom of their country which was then a US Commonwealth.

So, after 6o years, what is the price of their sacrifice? $ 15000 for US citizens and $ 9000 for non-US citizens. A special thanks to Pareng Barack (Pres. Obama) for including this retributive compensation within the stimulus package for the Filipino veterans.

But, I think that the amount of pride that we as Filipinos have for these veterans cannot compare with any amount that any government is willing to give. They fought for democracy and freedom with their own lives. Their story gives me one more reason to be proud to be Pinoy.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Please read the whole story here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/23/forgotten.veterans/index.html