True Unsung Heroes

Imagine this. You're about 20 years old living in a country where living conditions could be, well...better. There's a country. A glorious country. The land of opportunity. This land of opportunity, however, is fighting a war, and they need help. They promise that in exchange for your help, you can finally get a ticket to this glorious land...and money to establish yourself there! So once you have done what they ask of you, they suddenly tell you, "Thanks, here's the ticket, but we can't give you everything else we promised you."

That ticket is called citizenship.

In 1941, President Roosevelt drafted 160,000 soldiers from the Philippines to fight in the war that succeeded the bombings in the Philippines and Pearl Harbor. The US promised full benefits and US citizenship to any Filipino soldier who volunteered to fight. Motivated by anger and incentives given by the US, over 250,000 Filipinos answered the call to fight alongside American soldiers against the Japanese in World War II. That number does not even include the number of guerrilla fighters who helped the United States as well. In 1942, Congress passed legislation that would give the soldiers US citizenship. Seems like they were holding their end of the bargain so far. However, following the end of the war in 1945, President Roosevelt signed the Rescission Act of 1946, one that would take away that promise giving full benefits to all nations fighting alongside the US, except the Filipinos. It wasn't until 1990 when President Bush signed a law that allowed them to come to the US but without veterans benefits.

After waiting more than 40 years for benefits, coming to the United States was no longer much of a reward. Many were growing old and could barely work. After moving to the US, the Filipino veterans were forced to move into transitional veteran housing, usually packed and overcrowded. Any money they received most likely went to their families left in the Philippines and the veterans would just remain there without benefits and without justice. Even today, the veterans struggle to find work so they can have a sustainable amount of income. But in this economy, the veterans are hit hard. They cannot find work so many must make do with what they have. California's state budget cuts have reduced their income benefits.


Many people, however, do not completely agree with the veterans' campaign for justice. One article on CNN.com is entitled, "U.S. to pay 'forgotten' Filipino World War II Veterans" The word "forgotten" stands out because it is in parentheses insinuating that Filipino veterans weren't really forgotten despite the injustices done to them.

Today, only 15,000 veterans remain. Although legislation, signed by President Obama, promised to finally reimburse the veterans for their services, only 10% of the money promised has been disbursed. Many still haven't received the $9,000 or $15,000 promised to them. The claims are being delayed and many of the veterans are dying, making them and their families ineligible to receive the lump sum of money.