As Memorial Day approaches, our thoughts turn to those brave American soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.
I don‘t know about you, but I cannot simply bear the thought of not honoring and remembering the veterans.
I am writing this article in memory of my father Commodore Cecilio “Ciony” Asuncion who served in the Philippine Navy as Commander Task Force 41 assigned in Cebu City in 1941 under the command of Captain Ramon Alcaraz, to my brother Lt. Commander Jaime “Jimbo” M. Asuncion who lost his battle to cancer in 2005 and my uncle Army Colonel Ruben Montoya
On Dec. 8, 1941, thousands of Filipino men and women responded to President Roosevelt’s call for help to preserve peace and democracy in the Philippines. In their tormentuous four-year battle to gain independence, the courageous men and women suffered many hardships, torture and loss of lives, yet they never faltered.
For decades, after their heroic service under the command of Army General Douglas MacArthur, these men and women were denied the benefits and privileges provided to their American counterparts who fought side by side with them. Today, approximately 68 years later, the proud soldiers of the Philippines are receiving long-awaited recognition and thanks for their selfless and sacrificial contribution.
Victory! Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation signed into Law by President Barack Obama last February 17, 2009 included a lump sum payment for qualified Filipino WWII veterans in the Philippines and in the United States. The bill includes the vital recognition of war service of non-service veterans, a status stripped by the Rescission Act, passed by the 79th U.S. Congress on February 18, 1946.
Section 1002, Title X of the economic stimulus law (PL 111-5) states that the payment will be made in the case of an eligible person who is not a citizen of the United States, in the amount of $9,000 and, in the case of a U.S. citizen, in the amount of $15,000. Some 12,000 Filipino WW II veterans in the Philippines and 3,000 counterparts here in the United States are qualified.
Congratulations! As a Filipino, I am so thankful for the passage of the Veterans Equity Bill – Long live our veterans who fought under the stars and stripes to enjoy what they deserve.
On this Memorial Day celebration, I feel it is appropriate to honor one very brave veteran, Retired Colonel Mariano Caindec of Badoc, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He was assigned in Mindanao where he met his wife, Margarita, a daughter of Saligan Magumpara, Sultan of Rahmain, Lanao del Sur. He was sent on a mission to assist the American Forces. After several months, he returned with General Douglas McArthur, who landed in Leyte.
After liberation, Mariano was assigned in Luzon and was stationed in different areas. He rose in ranks and garnered many medals and commendations. He eventually became the Commanding Officer of the Philippine Constabulary Scout Dog Unit and his war traumas caused him to retire in 1979. He died in 1989. His family included a daughter, Minda, who is a 2nd Lt. in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Nurse Corp, who is married to Lt. Ted Tan, now an Immigration Service Officer. They are blessed with four children, the youngest daughter, Lt. Leizl Dalby, married Captain John Dalby of the United States Marine Corps.
A poem by Amanda Blake, entitled “Peace,” states:
“ Peace will come when people
Learn to listen and to care
About the rights and dignity
Of people everywhere.“