Posted by toto on September 07, 2001 at 23:18:35:
Hello, I am sending you another chance to join the movement to achieve full equity
for Filino veterans. Please sign and pass it on. If you are having trouble, signing
on type in HR 491 in the search block. Pass HR 491 WWII Vets Equity Bill Pass
H.R. 491, the WWII Vets Equity Bill that will correct the grave injustice America
perpetuated against the Filipinos who fought valiantly in defense of the American
flag! Restore the honor of Filipino Vets as veterans of the U. S. Armed Forces!
Restore the benefits promised to the Filipino Veterans! These Filipinos who
fought along side with their American brothers during WWII under the leadership
of Gen. Douglas MacArthur are now in their 70s and 80s, and most of them live in
poverty without the much-needed health and pension benefits afforded to their
fellow compatriots. These veterans were drafted in the U. S. Forces of the Far
East by virtue of the July 26, 1941 order of Pres. F. D. Roosevelt. From 1941 to
1945, over 100,000 Filipinos fought alongside Americans to reclaim the
Philippines from Japan. Regrettably, the Congress enacted the Rescission Act of
1946 that limited Filipinos eligibility for service-connected disabilities and death
compensation. The Act also declared that the service of the Filipinos 'shall not
deemed to be or have been service in the military or national forces of the U.S. or
any component thereof or any law of the U.S. conferring rights, privileges or
benefits' Recognition for these veterans is long overdue. They have waited more
than 50 years for the benefits, which they were entitled to back in 1946. The words
of Pres. H. Truman in Feb. 26, 1946 are a reminder of America's moral obligation
to recognize the service of the Filipinos: ' the passage of this legislation [the
Rescission Act] does not release the U.S. from its moral obligation to provide for
the heroic Philippine veterans who sacrificed so much for the common cause
during the war...They fought as American nationals, under the American Flag, and
under the direction of our military leaders. .. ..I consider it a moral obligation of the
U. S. to look after the welfare of the Philippine Army Veterans.' ,Pass H.R. 491,
the WWII Vets Equity Bill that will correct the grave injustice America perpetuated
against the Filipinos who fought valiantly in defense of the American flag! Restore
the honor of Filipino Vets as veterans of the U. S. Armed Forces! Restore the
benefits promised to the Filipino Veterans! These Filipinos who fought along side
with their American brothers during WWII under the leadership of Gen. Douglas
MacArthur are now in their 70s and 80s, and most of them live in poverty without
the much-needed health and pension benefits afforded to their fellow compatriots.
These veterans were drafted in the U. S. Forces of the Far East by virtue of the
July 26, 1941 order of Pres. F. D. Roosevelt. From 1941 to 1945, over 100,000
Filipinos fought alongside Americans to reclaim the Philippines from Japan.
Regrettably, the Congress enacted the Rescission Act of 1946 that limited
Filipinos eligibility for service-connected disabilities and death compensation.
The Act also declared that the service of the Filipinos 'shall not deemed to be or
have been service in the military or national forces of the U.S. or any component
thereof or any law of the U.S. conferring rights, privileges or benefits' Recognition
for these veterans is long overdue. They have waited more than 50 years for the
benefits, which they were entitled to back in 1946. The words of Pres. H. Truman
in Feb. 26, 1946 are a reminder of America's moral obligation to recognize the
service of the Filipinos: ' the passage of this legislation [the Rescission Act] does
not release the U.S. from its moral obligation to provide for the heroic Philippine
veterans who sacrificed so much for the common cause during the war...They
fought as American nationals, under the American Flag, and under the direction of
our military leaders. .. ..I consider it a moral obligation of the U. S. to look after the
welfare of the Philippine Army Veterans.'
Click here to sign this petition.
or paste this address in to your browser
http://www.e-thepeople.com/affiliates/suntimes/index.cfm?PC=PETFV1&PETID=543146
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