Should US Congress treat Filipinos as half American veterans?
Dr. Albert Brown died last Aug. 14, 2011 at age 105. He struggled with Filipino soldiers during the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Brown, together with 65 mostly white allied nationalities that served the US in WWII, are recognized as full American veterans with full benefits.
Regalado Baldonado served the US in WW II and fought the same enemy at the same place as Dr. Brown. Baldonado was denied of lump sum compensation, does not receive monthly pension, and has not been recognized as full American veteran for the last 65 years. With median age of 90, ten veterans die each day.
For the past 66 years, Filipino World War II veterans have been denied their rights by our government and left without benefits or recognition. They bravely fought side by side with American allies during World War II and have been unjustly excluded in the GI Bill of 2008 and GI Bill of 1944, which recognized and granted full benefits to 65 allied nationalities except the Filipinos. With a median age of 90 and an estimate of 10 veterans dying everyday, it is with the greatest urgency that the Filipino and Hawaiian communities demand our leaders to rectify this gross injustice. Please sign the petitions to support HR 210, The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011. Full equity is long overdue.
Email your members of Congress HERE.