Filipino Veterans

Thank you for your “bull’s-eye” editorial (June 19) regarding America’s moral obligation to Filipino soldiers who fought with honor, dignity and respect beside Americans during World War II against the Japanese.

Not only America’s national honor is at stake in the unfulfilled promise of full military benefits and U.S. citizenship to some 200,000 Filipino soldiers; more than half of these died broken-hearted waiting for America to honor its word.

Commitment and credibility [are at stake] as the rest of the world watches how America honors its word.

EDWIN P. SALVERON

Diamond Bar

Re “Filipino Veterans Chain Selves to Statue in Protest,” June 17: Where is the integrity of the U.S. government going? It is a responsibility for America to correct such mistreatment. I believe it is actually a form of racism that is taking place here.

These men who contributed their lives fighting for America deserve respect and need to be honored for their duties. To imagine that 200,000 Filipino soldiers fought for a country which would eventually not accept them and broke promises angers my heart. These men are American, they have fulfilled their duties, and now the U.S. government must fulfill its part by honoring them.

The issue of deficit problems is noted; however, when juxtaposed to the mistreatment of these Filipino veterans, the responsibility to grant them the veteran benefits overrides the priority of the deficit.

RYAN MIN

Diamond Bar