A Fighting Chance

The article and photographs on the Filipino veterans from World War II (“The Promised Land,” by Rick Rocamora, Nov. 6) strongly brought home the message that we in the Alliance of Filipino American Veterans Organizations have been trying to get across for 50 years.

The crux of our struggle for justice is not just the redemption of the promise of citizenship, but the recognition of our service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

On Feb. 18, 1946, the U.S. Congress passed a law nullifying the Filipino troops’ service during the war. Thus, the men received no benefits--and no recognition. Bills to correct the injustice have gone nowhere.

We are now too old to avail ourselves of the benefits granted veterans. But we are trying hard to stay alive to see the day when Congress gives recognition for our military service, recognition that we can proudly leave to our grandchildren before we fade away.

Triso Baldemor

President, Alliance of Filipino American Veterans Organizations

Long Beach

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I am extremely conservative and regularly vote against almost any type of government spending, but I would not hesitate to set up with a generous pension every Filipino soldier who was in action against the Japanese and is now an American citizen.

The extreme suffering of American and Filipino POWs at the hands of the Japanese is the best-kept secret of the war. On the Bataan death march alone, 10,000 American and Filipino soldiers were murdered--after they had surrendered. The American prisoners who couldn’t keep up were taken to the side of the road and killed. The Filipinos were denied that “decency”; they were murdered where they fell.

Capt. Barry C. Fain, USAF

Tarzana