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Senate approves Congressional Gold Medal Bill for Filipino World War II veterans
The U.S. Senate today approved by unanimous consent S. 1555, the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) Act of 2015, a measure that would grant national recognition to the more than 260,000 Filipino and American soldiers who served under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Introduced in […]
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Family Reunification for Filipino WWII Veterans
“Yesterday’s announcement from the Department of Homeland Security that family members of Filipino World War II veterans can now apply for parole visas and reunite with their parents here in the United States, is very heartening,” says NaFFAA National Chair JT Mallonga. “Our courageous heroes, who have waited for up to 20 years, deserve […]
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A hard-fought battle: Reuniting Filipino-American veterans with family members
By Jason Tengco I was only four years old when my Lolo (meaning grandfather in Tagalog) passed away, but I grew up on stories about his brave service in the Philippines during World War II and still draw inspiration from his sacrifice. The stories describe his acts of heroism: fighting valiantly, even being jailed and […]
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After years of separation, aging veterans will be reunited with their families
Family members of Filipino World War II veterans will be granted special permission to reunite with their parents and come live and work in the United States, the White House announced today. “This is a day to celebrate,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. “Even though the […]
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AAJC to Obama: Grant citizenship to children of Filipino veterans
A new report released today by Advancing Justice | AAJC demands that President Barack Obama use his executive authority to allow children of Filipino World War II veterans to immediately be permitted to live and work in the United States. For their brave service, President Franklin D. Roosevelt promised these veterans citizenship and veterans’ benefits, but the […]
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New bill gives fresh hope to veterans rejected for FVEC equity
By Maricar CP Hampton A bill that gives hope to veterans who have been denied wartime benefits has been filed in Congress. The proposed Filipino Veterans Promise Act was sponsored by Senators Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) , and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY). The bipartisan panel said the legislation will help assist all […]
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On Veterans Day, remembering dad as soldier, teacher, and father
By Jon Melegrito A few years before my father died in 2005, a friend called late one evening to say my dad was rushed to the hospital. Of course I’d be there, I assured him. I took the earliest flight the following morning from Baltimore to Gulfport, Mississippi. He was living by himself then, in […]
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On sex allegations vs Mayor Bob Filner, community ‘shocked and saddened’
By Maricar CP Hampton Before he became the embattled San Diego mayor who is at the center of sexual harassment charges, Bob Filner was a congressman from California’s 51st district who was a staunch supporter of Filipino war veterans. Filner was among the congressional leaders who shepherded the passage of the veterans equity law, which […]
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White House says review of veterans’ claims done with ‘greater transparency’
By Rosye Cloud In 1941, more than 260,000 Filipino soldiers responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-arms and fought under the American flag during World War II. Many made the ultimate sacrifice as both soldiers in the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, and as recognized guerrilla fighters during the Imperial Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Later, […]