30 July 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr., accompanied by the incoming and outgoing Cultural Officers, Misses Rosabelle Q. Toledo and Amelyn E. Julio-Obong, respectively, attended on July 24 the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the departure of the Squadron 201 for the United States to join in World War II. The event took place in Tepoztlan, State of Morelos.
In attendance were Squadron surviving veterans and their families, town and military officials, school officials, students and the public. The event commenced with a parade along the major streets of Tepoztlan up to the Primary School Squadron 201, followed by the bandera de honor, speeches and cultural program. Of the 300 Squadron 201 members, only three surviving veterans were able to attend due to health conditions.
The commemoration is usually held in the abovementioned school in Tepoztlan that was erected in honor of the Squadron. The construction was a special request of one of the soldiers, Angel Bocanegra del Castillo, who was a former teacher and a native of Tepoztlan.
The Squadron 201 or Aztec Eagles was the Elite Expeditionary Air Force Unit of Mexico that went to Laredo, Texas, for a three-month extensive training. It was initially scheduled to fight in the European front but was sent to the Pacific upon the request of then Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho due to the close historical and cultural ties between the Philippines and Mexico. END