Filipino veteran Celestino Almeda, 100
Updated by Sarah Jackson with contributions from Views from the Edge
It’s been a long time coming.
This morning, leaders of the U.S. House and Senate presented a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of Filipino veterans of World War II for their service and sacrifice during the war.
100-year-old Filipino veteran Celestino Almeda spoke on behalf of the Filipino American war heroes.
“I am an American soldier,” he said to applause.
Almeda said he and his fellow Filipino veterans have long “felt unrecognized for fighting for our country,” adding, “I wondered why” since he and his fellow soldiers had brought “victory during a long war in the Philippines.”
An appreciative crowd gave Almeda a standing ovation.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) took part in the bipartisan, bicameral ceremony.
The award is the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. In accordance with Public Law 114-265, a single gold medal was struck to honor the Filipino veterans of World War II collectively.
From July 1941 to December 1946, more than 250,000 Filipino and Filipino American soldiers served and fought for the United States and the Philippines to topple Axis powers during World War II. In July of 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called all organized military forces of the Philippines into the service of the United States. Their bravery, heroism, and dedication played an integral part in leading Allied powers to victory over Nazi and fascist forces.
Considered U.S. nationals at the time, Filipinos were promised full veterans’ benefits by President Franklin Roosevelt in exchange for their service. In 1946, however, President Harry Truman refused to honor the promise of his predecessor, and the Filipinos who had served in the war were no longer recognized as U.S. veterans, according to USA Today.
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) spoke at the ceremony about the difficulty Filipino WWII veterans faced in securing recognition and benefits after the war.
“Their service was practically erased from American records,” Hirono said. “After serving our country, it is frankly shameful that these veterans had to fight so hard for what they were promised.”
Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) immediately followed.
“This Congressional Gold Medal is long overdue,” Heller said. “This medal ensures your place in history will never be forgotten.”
The ceremony begins at the 22:45 mark. You can watch it in its entirely below.
