Pearl Harbor remembered

By ROSE SAN DIEGO
December 8, 2015

CHICAGO – Remembering the day, December 7th, 1941, a reason why we volunteered to save our country, our families.

Not only did the Japanese unload its arsenal from the air on the Island of Hawaii, but also on the Philippines Islands as well that day. The surprise air bombardment annihilated the Navy's entire Pacific Seventh Fleet at Pearl Harbor within hours. Across the ocean the Japanese Zeros were also creating havoc destroying US bases in the Philippines, Guam and Midway.

These aging Filipino WWII veterans continue to gather regularly to share their daily life struggles but most importantly to share in a bond of camaraderie with one another. After each gathering they have a merienda style of refreshments and then depart in all directions on their way home, hoping to meet for another community mission.

Continuing on their agenda is the hopeful return of at least one of the three church bells removed from the Town of Balangiga, Eastern Samar in 1901 and is still a priority in their lifetime. Another great observance is Bataan Day, commemorated annually on April 9th when US Forces first surrendered the Town of Bataan and its soldiers in 1942 to the enemy, the Imperial Japanese Army.

Our history and culture remains rich and alive because of the stories still shared by these gate-keepers, some may call Lolo. I am inspired and proud to call them our nation's heroes.