Filipino WWII Veterans receive Special Recognition
at US Memorial Day commemorations in Honolulu  

31 May 2007 — Consul General Ariel Y. Abadilla of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, USA reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that seven Filipino WWII veterans who now reside in Honolulu received special recognition at the Memorial Day ceremony held on 28 May 2007 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific when the host, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann seated them at the front row and referred to them at the start of his speech as well as to the subject of veterans benefits.  

Mayor Hannemann said, “We are honored to have with us this morning seven Filipino veterans of World War II, residents of Oahu who just last month received Philippine Liberation Medals from the Government of the Philippines.  

“We are pleased to note that the U.S. Senate just the other day approved adding Senator Akaka's Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act to the immigration bill, one more step in repaying the debt America owes to those who fought for freedom at our side.”  

The aging Filipino veterans, one in a wheelchair, received prolonged applause from the more than 1,000 people in attendance, among whom were Senator Akaka, US Representatives Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono, and US civilian and military officials.  

At the end of the ceremony, Consul General Abadilla thanked Mayor Hannemann for his remarks, and also spoke with Senator Akaka, Congressman Abercrombie and Congresswoman Hirono, conveying deep appreciation for their espousal of and support on issues beneficial to the Philippines and to Filipino-Americans.  END 

/jay

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