Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)

Recognition, Justice, Equity, Now!

1610 Beverly Blvd. Suite No. 2, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Department of Veterans Affairs

Secretary Eric Shenseki

October 27, 2009



Dear Mr. Secretary:

I speak in behalf of the Justice for Filipino-American Veterans (JFAV) and AWARE (Association of Widows, Advocates, and Relatives for Equality) with chapters in key US cities.

I want to echo the veterans and widows huge disappointment over the slow processing of the lump sum. While your office claims that 25% have received their lump sum both in the US and Philippines, many veterans here in the US feel that your office fails to deliver an immediate and 100% delivery of an overdue benefit. How many more months and years do these veterans have to wait after having waited for the last 63 years?

I strongly suggest that you take full accountability of your actions and stop from using political alibis such as incomplete/duplicate claims, confusion on the partition of job between the Manila vs. Washington DVA office and others.

The high expectation of veterans, widows and families comes in the midst of their poverty and increasing mortality, now that most of them are in their 90’s. I plead that your office immediately take the following steps:

• Expedite the processing of claims

• Prove that 18 new personnel were indeed hired by DVA

Coordinated actions will be undertaken by community supporters on dates close to the Veterans’ Day to reiterate the above demands.

Veterans have waited so long. Let it not be in vain.



Sincerely,

Arturo P. Garcia- coordinator

Justice for Filipino-American Veterans (JFAV)