A SELFIE FOR POSTERITY WorldWar II veterans parade around the Hunters-ROTC Guerilla Field of the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, during the “Review in Honor of the Veterans” on Sunday. Stealing the scene is one of the “senior defenders” leading the pack who freezes the moment by snapping a selfie in the activity that marks the observance of the Philippine Veterans Week. RAFFY LERMA
For their “unparalleled service and selfless sacrifices,” 10 living war veterans were honored Sunday morning by the Armed Forces of the
The AFP gave a snappy salute to their forebears and the
“nation’s senior defenders” as part of the annual observance of the Philippine
Veterans Week.
Among those who received plaques and medals of recognition
for their service during the World War II were Col. Francisco T. San Miguel,
Sgt. Jose Felix F. Caparas, Sgt. Manuel C. Carpio, Col. Francisco S. Tamondong,
Pfc. Pilar Hipolito de Ocampo, Maj. Jesse M. Baltazar, Pvt. Manuel T. Cannu,
Pfc. Valentin R. Ege, TSgt. Silvestre D. Sarmiento and Col. Catalino D. Ibañez.
Recognition was also given to the families of posthumous
awardees Pvt. Francisco S. Cordoba Sr., lawyer Gamaliel A. Cordoba, Lt.
Commander Vicente A. Perez, Sgt. Domingo G. Padiernos, MSgt. Jesus V. delos Santos
Speaking before the veterans and their families, AFP Chief
of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the awardees embody the traits
that helped the military organization become “a more capable, more professional
and more reliable Armed Forces serving the Filipino people.”
“The road they took are surely difficult but they have
victories they can tell. I hope we will all be inspired by the examples of the
awardees who have shown great courage and service,” Catapang said in his
welcome speech.
The review is an annual tradition of the Armed Forces,
wherein men and women in the uniformed service show their respect to veterans
for their “unparalleled services, selfless sacrifices and numerous
accomplishments.”
The veterans were paraded around the Hunters-ROTC Guerrilla
Field and given honors by a battalion-sized contingent from the AFP.
Receiving the award for his uncle and namesake, Pangasinan
Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, also vice chair of the House committee on veterans
affairs, was also the event’s special guest and keynote speaker.
In his speech, Bataoil remembered his World War II veteran
uncle, whose body has not been found by the family until now.
“His body was never recovered in the hills of Bataan ,” said Bataoil, who claimed to have been raised
living up to the ideals of his uncle.
He also noted that 3Lt. Bataoil served as his inspiration
when he became a policeman and climbed the command chain ladder, becoming the
director of the PNP Regional Office I during the latter part of his career as a
law enforcer.
In addressing the veteran awardees, Bataoil also read the
privilege speech of Bataan 1st District Rep.
Herminia B. Roman, chair of the House committee on veterans affairs, which
appealed to the legislative body to continue to push for the increase of
benefits and services to veterans and their beneficiaries.
Earlier, Lt. Gen. Hernando Delfin Carmelo Iberri, 56th
Commanding General of the Philippine Army, led the sunrise ceremony, the
traditional start of the Veteran’s Week, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers,
Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig.
“To this day, our modern-day soldiers continue to offer the
ultimate sacrifice. Nevertheless, they will continue to preserve the national
pride that these honorable veterans gained for every Filipino,” Iberri said in
his speech.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/683702/10-living-war-vets-honored-by-afp
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.