Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 12/24/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

As a Member of the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Senior Democrat on the VA Subcommittee on Health on Health, I wanted to provide your readers with some information about an upcoming Field Hearing on the issue of health care for Filipino World War II veterans in San Diego, California, the home of many Filipino World War II veterans.

Over fifty years ago, Filipino soldiers, living in the Philippines -- a territory of the United States -- were drafted into service during World War II by an executive order of President Franklin d. Roosevelt.

Under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, Filipino soldiers fought side-by-side with forces from the United States mainland, defending the American flag in the now famous battles of Bataan and Corregidor. Thousands of Filipino prisoners of war died, both on the Bataan Death March and in prisoner of war camps at the rate of 50-200 a day. They endured four long years of occupation. The soldiers fortunate to escape capture, together with Filipino civilians, fought against the occupation forces. Their guerrilla attacks foiled the plans of the Japanese for a quick takeover of the region and allowed the United States the needed time to prepare to defeat the enemy. After the liberation of the Philippines, the United States used the strategically-located Commonwealth of the Philippines as a base from which to launch the final efforts to win the war.

With their vital participation so evident, one would assume that the United States would be grateful to their Filipino comrades. So, it is hard to believe that soon after the war ended, Congress voted in the 1946 Rescissions Act to take away the benefits and recognition that many Filipino World War II veterans were promised. Congressman Benjamin Gilman and I have introduced legislation to restore these benefits to the Filipino World War II veterans, thousands of whom have become citizens of the United States.

The Filipino World War II veterans are now in their 70s and 80s and in need of health care. Many are dying each year. The Health Subcommittee hearing will focus on providing health care for these veterans through the VA. I am looking forward to this hearing as a step toward addressing the injustices of the past. It is time to restore the dignity of Filipino War II veterans for their defense of democratic ideals.

Bob Filner
Member of Congress

Dear Congressman Filner:

I find it abhorrent that our great country has turned its back on some of our most loyal and brave veterans.

For years the American Legion has passed resolutions urging Congress to rectify this injustice by enacting legislation to provide compensation, pension and health care benefits to Filipino WW II veterans. As you stated on the House floor on March 6, 1997, "it is hard to believe that soon after the war ended, the 79th Congress voted in a way that can only be considered to be blatant discrimination, as they took away the benefits and recognition that the Filipino World War II veterans were promised in what was called the Rescissions Act of 1946. Now over 50 years have passed since the Rescissions Act, 50 long years during which the Filipino veterans have been waiting for justice. . . . But now is the time to correct the injustices of the 79th Congress. Many of these Filipino veterans have already died and in a decade or decade and a half there will no longer be any of these veterans still living."

An additional five years have passed since your cogent remarks, adding to the old adage, "justice delayed is justice denied."

Salutations to former Veterans Administration Chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals, Syd Shuman, for the following holiday message:

We pray today that from the ashes will rise a new spirit of beauty and unity in America.
Already, all across this nation our hearts have been knit together into a new tapestry of one America.
Because of this tragedy, we have been bound together by a silver chord of hope and brotherhood and sisterhood.
What was meant to drive us apart has really drawn us together.
May we always remember.
And so today we ask, God, that you would wipe the tears of all in need of comfort.
That you would warm the heart of one who would grow cold from bitterness. 
That you would lift the head of that one who is bowed down in sadness.
That you would touch the discouraged and remind them that love will always conquer hate.
We thank you God, for making us such a resilient people. We know that we are.
And we pray now for the strength to rise again, to build again, and live free from fear.
We pray that you will help us rebuild our broken lives and mend our broken hearts.
We pray that you will give us the courage to face evil and the faith to believe that good will never be defeated.
Hold us close to your heart.
And through our tears, and through our sorrow, may we all see a new vision of a new tomorrow.
Bless us all and God bless America.

Thanks to Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington D.C. for sharing the very important message with my readers regarding prescription refills. Due to the Anthrax scare, the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington D.C. is not receiving any mail. If you require a refill on your medication, please use the telephone refill request line. DO NOT MAIL YOUR REQUEST. The telephone number for the refill request line is 202-745-4046. Remember you will need your full social security number and the prescription number for each medication.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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