As we celebrate Veterans Day today, I wanted to share an inspring post from a Nevada Veteran who supports Barack.
"It is with intense interest and gratitude that I note the strong and untiring support Barack Obama has provided to the veteran population. American veterans have a lot to be thankful for because of the many bills he has introduced in the Senate to make sure veterans are treated with respect, new disability benefits are provided, and services are available for transitioning into civilian life.
One of the veteran-related bills that is currently stalled in both the Congress and the Senate is the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 ( HR-760, and S.1315 ), which aims to recognize the sacrifices made by Filipino WWII veterans who fought alongside the U.S. troops against the Japanese during WWII. This equity bill will fulfill America’s long promise to support these brave comrades by providing them with full veteran benefits similar to those enjoyed by their American counterparts, such as health care in VA hospitals, outpatient clinics and nursing homes, and non-service disability pension averaging about $300.00 per month.
Why should these Filipino veterans be officially recognized for VA benefits? These Filipino U.S. servicemen were conscripted by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt under his Military Order dated July 26, 1941 during which the Commonwealth of the Philippines, being under the sovereignty of the U.S., was legally committed by the U.S. in the war against Japan. About 120,000 of these brave men responded to this call to duty and fought alongside the American troops against the Japanese. Fighting as guerilla forces, they were credited for inflicting continued losses to the enemy during the duration of the war, and they provided critical information to the returning forces of Gen. McArthur, resulting in reduced U.S. casualties. Many perished while fighting side-by-side with American troops.
Today, there are about 6,000 of these veterans in the U.S. who are still alive, as well as about 12,000 still living in the Philippines. Most of them are in their 70’s and 80’s, are poor and in need of medical care. I feel it is time for the U.S. to correct 62 years of neglect and injustice and recognize the contributions of these brave men who were sent to harm’s way then quickly forgotten.
Senator Barack Obama is a cosponsor and an advocate of this Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. I feel confident that there is no one else in the long line of Democratic and Republican candidates who is more committed than Barack Obama, in correcting this dark spot in U.S. history and in recognizing the sacrifices that veterans made for America."
Fernando Taverna, MCPO
U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
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