Filipino American veterans testified before a House committee about the injustice they feel for being denied veteran’s benefits after fighting for the US during World War II, reports ABS CBN (file photo of Filipino American veterans at wreath laying ceremony).
Celestino Almeda is 97-years old and his name and US Armed Services documents have been in the US Army archives since 1946.
Yet 68 years later he’s still waiting for the benefits the United States promised him and thousands of other veterans. He called himself an unfortunate example of the many Filipinos who have similar stories.
“I am absolutely astounded,” said Rep. Tammy Duckworth, (D-IL), reports the Review Journal. “These men are dying. These men didn’t wait when the United States asked for help. They stepped forward and volunteers to serve. Why are we making them wait 70 years?”
