16 April 2015 – The Philippine Consulate, in cooperation with the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Inc. (FECGP), commemorated the 73rd Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan or the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Bataan Death March Memorial at Cooper River Park, Cherry Hill, New Jersey on April 09.
Four WWII veterans, namely Mr. Pablo M. Barros, Mr. Sostones E. Rivera, Mr. Regino B. Barreda and Mr. Rogelio V. Bucot from Jersey City and Cherry Hill in New Jersey, Brooklyn and Long Island in New York, respectively, and members of their families attended the event. Invitations were issued to the 31 living WWII veterans residing in the 10 states under the Consulate General’s jurisdiction. A number responded with appreciation but due to age or mobility problems were unable to attend the event.
Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn, who graced the solemn commemoration, paid tribute to the heroism of the Filipino and American soldiers of WWII and honored the sacrifices they made for their respective countries. “Our town of Cherry Hill was fortunate to have the Bataan Death March Memorial, the only memorial in the Northeast USA, to honor the valor, bravery and sacrifice of WWII Veterans in the Philippines and the Philippine theatre of military operations,” said the Mayor.
The Mayor, together with Camden County Commissioner Gwen de Vera, also handed over a Congressional Proclamation on the event signed by Congressman Donald Norcross of the First District of New Jersey.
Philippine Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. extolled the WWII veterans and conveyed profound appreciation to the four of them who graciously participated in the ceremony. Consul General de Leon also informed them of the Consulate General’s effort in making representations with the US Government for support of House Resolution (HR) 535, which seeks to award collectively a Congressional gold medal to the Filipino Veterans of the WWII in recognition of their dedicated service to the US and the Philippines.
“Just this past week, we have had fruitful dialogues with Representatives Kathleen Rice of New York and Frank Pallone of New Jersey to request them to rally the behind the draft bill and pass it to law,” stated the Consul General.
A wreath-laying ceremony at the Bataan Death March Memorial led by the Consul General highlighted the program. Mayor Cahn joined the Consul General in the ceremony together with FECGP President Ruth Luyun, FECGP Project Officer Senen Fontanilla and two WWII veterans. “Taps” was played after the wreath-laying to conclude the event.
After the ceremony, a reception was held at the Philippine Community Center in Stratford, New Jersey. The FECGP President welcomed the veterans and other guests. Mr. Regino Barreda spoke on behalf of the veterans and recounted his experiences as an intelligence officer of the USAFFE during the war. He also detailed his training after the liberation of the Philippines and his subsequent assignment to Okinawa to provide help to American soldiers still fighting there.
The Consul General conferred Certificates of Appreciation to the four veterans who attended the event. “My grandfather never attends any event but was so excited when he received the Consulate’s invitation. This is very important to him,” said Ms. Camille Nunez, Mr. Barros’ granddaughter.
The affair was attended by more than 80 people from the Filipino communities in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas. END