For Immediate Release
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
Contact Person: Arturo P. Garcia
Phone;(213) 241-0995
August 15, 2015

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 70th YEAR OF AUGUST 15, 1945, AMERICA’S VICTORY OVER JAPAN IN WORLD WAR II

Los Angeles-- TODAY ON AUGUST 15, 1945, THE REAL VICTORY OVER JAPAN DAY HAPPENED 70 YEARS AGO.

On August 15,1945, the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito announced that Japan’s surrender to the Allies. This happened after the United States dropped two Atomic bombs on August 6 in Hiroshima and on August 9 at Nagasaki that obliterated the two cities and killed hundreds of thousands of people.

For many Asian countries like Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and China, its freedom day for countries colonized by Japan. Actually, they made it their day of Independence.

The Significance of the 70th Anniversary of August 15, 1945

But in a country like the Philippines where fighting was still going on, it will be September 6, 1945 when Japan officially surrender that is why it is called V-J Day or “Victory over Japan Day.” But for many Asians the real V-J Day is August 15, 1945.

But for the remaining 25,000 Filipino World War II Veterans and thousands of their survivors, they cannot rejoice for this day of liberation. For more than 70 years, they remained unrecognized American Veterans. They are still denied of their rights, privileges and benefits as American Veterans.

Although the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) acknowledged the fact that greater problem that more than 600,000 American Veterans are denied of their benefits, we highlight the plight of the Filipino WWII Veterans.

Justice and Equity For Filipino World War II Veterans

Even the current DVA Secretary Robert MacDonald accepted to the JFAV in June 29 meeting and as even US President Obama acknowledged, “The Filipino World War II Veterans have waited too long for their recognition and benefits to be denied.”

We honor the 70th Year of America’s Victory Over Japan on this day by continuing the struggle of our community and nation for equity and justice for Filipino World War II Veterans and their 60,000 survivors in the America and the Philippines.

Last June 12,2015. Rep. Jackie Speier filed for the third time the Filipino Veterans Recognition Act of 2015 or the H.R. 2766. with 34 co-sponsors. We have been filing this bill for the last 22 years in the US Congress.

JFAV as the lobby group for the Filipino WWI Veterans and their 60,000 survivors in the US Congress will not let up until justice and equality prevailed against systemic racism and institutionalized discrimination.

Baby Steps

Last June 29, JFAV and ACFV has a 30-minute meeting with the DVA Secretary Robert MacDonald and he promised to expedite the 4,000 appeals of denied Filvets.

In the latest move, POTUS Obama last July 15, 2015 has issued the “Memorandum on Streamlining and Modernizing the US Immigrant Visa System” to the Department of Homeland Security that expedited the “parole system “ for 25,000 Filvets “ who can now petition their children to the United States sans the Comprehensive Immigration Reform law.

While we in JFAV acknowledged that this is not real “family reunification” but we feel that this baby steps or palliatives has its valuable effect. It can be measured with the reality on the grounds until a true comprehensive immigration reform law can be realized in the future.

Salute to Filipino WWII Men and Woman Veterans

Lastly, we honor the more than 500,000 Filipino Men and Woman patriots who fought during World War to defend the Philippines . Those who and served under the Filipino and America’s flag and the very many of them who did not ask for a single centavo as a remuneration for their wartime services during the war.

We salute the 250.000 recognized Filipino- American Veterans under the US Army and the Commonwealth Army, the USAFFE and all the guerilla forces and their survivors but who were unrecognized and disenfranchised under the unjust Rescission Act of 1946 . Now, there are only 25,000 living Veterans both in the Philippines and the United States.

We in JFAV and the Filipino American community in the United States make this solemn promise:

We will fight for you until justice and equity is achieved. You fought for us and gave your all, now are our turn to fight for your recognition, justice and benefits.

MAGITING NA PAGPUPUGAY SA INYONG KABAYANIHAN!

MAKIBAKA TUNGO SA TAGUMPAY!

Arturo P. Garcia
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
National Coordinator

August 15, 2015
Los Angeles, CA

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