Filipino Community in Philadelphia, New Jersey Commemorates 77th Araw ng Kagitingan
WWII Veteran Pablo S. Barros (seated on a wheelchair) and Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate led the Wreath Laying Ceremony during the celebration of the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan at the Bataan Death March Memorial in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on 06 April 2019.
NEW YORK 26 April 2019 – The Filipino-American veterans of WWII and other conflicts were honored at the commemoration organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York at the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan on 06 April 2019.
The event was held in cooperation with the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Inc. (FECGP), the Philippine Community of Southern New Jersey, and the Pvt. Tomas Claudio VFW Post 1063 Auxiliary.
A wreath laying ceremony at the Bataan Death March Memorial in Cooper River Park, Cherry Hill, New Jersey led by Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate and WWII Veteran Pablo S. Barros, who came with his children and grandchildren, highlighted the program.
Freeholder Susan Shin-Angulo of Camden County, as well as the presidents of the Filipino community partners joined the ceremony. Aidan Peterson, a young volunteer of Bugles America played the Taps to conclude the solemn ceremony.
In his remarks, Deputy Consul General Tate recalled how Mr. Barros and other WWII veterans shared their war stories during a previous ceremony. The WWII veterans recounted their memories of the agonies of war, of their family and friends cut down in their youth. “So many of that generation, lost in the flames of battle”, said the Deputy Consul General.
He further stated that we are not asked to make the sacrifice of our lives, but every day, we are asked to do little acts that benefit our community, like voting in elections.
For her part, Ms. Shin-Angulo thanked the veterans on their sacrifices and bravery which paved the way to where we are now. She personally greeted each of the veterans present after the wreath-laying.
A reception followed at the Philippine Community Center in Stratford, New Jersey. A 20-minute video entitled “Duty to Country – Filipino WWII Veterans” was shown. Following the screening, Captain Carlo Aragoncillo, a second generation Filipino-American and Public Affairs Officer for the 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade gave an account of his experience growing up in a family of veterans.
The wreath laying ceremony has become a tradition of the Filipino-American community in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, many of whom have family connections with WWII veterans. They converge to thank and honor their relatives who served in the war. END
Freeholder Susan Shin-Angulo (left photo), Depuy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate (center) and Captain Carlo Aragoncillo (right photo) delivered their respective remarks of honor and gratitude to the Fil-Am WWII veterans and other war veterans during the commemoration of the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan on 06 April 2019 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. (New York PCG photo)
For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.