Media Release

July 27, 2010

Contact: Arturo P. Garcia

Phone: (213)241-0906

Email: jfav_us@yahoo.com

JFAV/AWARE Marked USAFFE Day, July 26, 2010 in LA

Los Angeles –“ Old soldiers never die, we want equity”

That was the battle cry of scores of veterans, widows, relatives and advocates from the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) who marked the 69th year of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) Day, July 26, 1941 with a community forum in LA.

The commemorative event was held last Monday , July 26, 2010 at the Silver Lake Medical Center (SLMC) ground floor at the Cafeteria, 1711 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 .

The community forum also discuss People’s CORE Smoke Free Apartment Project and issues second hand smoke in multi-unit housing. People’s CORE project coordinator Art Garcia discussed the topic among the audience most of whom are renters and some managers.

Discussion on Equity Campaign and Lobbying

The JFAV National Coordinator Arturo Garcia gave an update on the court case and the lobbying efforts of the JFAV. AWARE and MHC. Mrs. Lulu Astilla, AWARE president also updated the members about the recent AWARE activities.

Speakers were Jay Valencia of the Assemblyman Kevin De Leon of California office, Vice Consul Johnny Reyes who came in behalf of the Consul General and Franco Arcebal of the ACFV. All of them paid tribute to the valiant efforts of the veterans and called for support for the veterans and widows cause.

The SLMC led personell led by Amor Hayner and Roselie Caratao with Pastor Luz Sajera provided the logistical support and food. Veteran Lino Tamayo gave a number with his harmonica while veteran Dacaycay sung a song in Pangasinese.

“Conscription Day”

The USAFFE Day is when the US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued an executive order that placed Armed Forces of the Philippine Commonwealth and the US Army under the command of the newly formed USAFFE under General Douglas Macarthur. It also known as the conscription day.

More than 500,000 Filipinos served during the war and the US government recognized only 250,000 guerillas and regular soldiers. More than 46,000 Filipino World War II veterans in the US and in the Philippines filed for the lump sum claims provided by ARRA or the Stimulus Bill.

Out of the 41,000 confirmed claims the DVA denied 16,000 veterans claims and are still processing the claims of more than 8,000 others.. Meanwhile the $ 198 million appropriations has run out.

At of the press time the DVA said there is less than 10 million left in the claims funds. Congressman Bob Filer of San Diego last July 9, 2010 said that the additional money for claims has been approved in the lower house.

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Speakers were Jay Valencia of the Assemblyman Kevin De Leon of California office, Vice Consul Johnny Reyes who came in behalf of the Consul General and Franco Arcebal of the ACFV. All of them paid tribute to the valiant efforts of the veterans and called for support for the veterans and widows cause.

The USAFFE Day is when the US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued an executive order that placed Armed Forces of the Philippine Commonwealth and the US Army under the command of the newly formed USAFFE under General Douglas Macarthur. It also known as the conscription day.

More than 500,000 Filipinos served during the war and the US government recognized only 250,000 guerillas and regular soldiers. More than 46,000 Filipino World War II veterans in the US and in the Philippines filed for the lump sum claims provided by ARRA or the Stimulus Bill.