JFAV Commemorates Bataan Day, April 9, 2007 in Los Angeles

JFAV Commemorates Bataan Day, April 9, 2007 in Los Angeles

Los Angeles-- In a rare show of unity for the Filipino community ,the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the regional alliance in the West Coast of Filipino veterans, student, youth and community advocates together with the Filipino Veterans Foundation commemorated the 65th Bataan Day yesterday, April 9, 2007 with simple commemorative rites at the memorial monument at the Lake Street Park Memorial Monument at 227 Park View St. Los Angeles, CA 90026

Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Willy Gaa; Consul Helen Barber of Los Angeles: Alberto Alpasan ,Babes Navarra and Jay Vargas of the Veterans Administration(VA); Council Member Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles graced the April 9 event. Filipino Veterans Foundation by Dra. Jenny Batongmalaque led the commemorative rites.

More than 200 Filipino World War II veterans, their widows and families, relatives and veterans advocates attended the four-hour event.

The event started with the parade of colors. Different veterans organizations like the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGSI) led by Commander Jack Vergara, Faustino Baclig, Arcadio Basat and Nick Gadia, the United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV) led by Commander Eugenio Mondok, Mariano Loria: Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC); People’s CORE and Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) led by Arturo P, Garcia of People’s CORE, The Search for Filipino American Veterans (SIPA,) Filipino American Service Group (FASGI).

Bataan Day in the United States

Bataan Day was also marked with candle light vigils and Day of Valor Events in Honolulu, HI: April 9 and April 15 Atlanta, GA: April 7; San Francisco, CA: April 9; Los Angeles, CA: April 9; Houston, TX: April 21; Washington, DC and on April 10 Senate Hearing: April 11, 9:30 am, 418 Russell Senate Building, Washington, DC

On April 9, 1942 the province of Bataan, the bastion of the US forces in the Far East was forced to surrender to the Japanese after more than six month of fighting. More than 0,000 American and Filipino forces surrendered and were forced to march to the prisoner of war camp in Capas, Tarlac.

During the death march, more than 10,000 American and Filipino soldiers died of Japanese brutality, hunger and disease during the 65-kilometer death march from Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga. Bataan Day is commemorated both in the Philippines and the Filipino American Community since then.

For more information please contact Al P. Garcia at People’s CORE (213) 241-0995 or email@jfav_causa [at] yahoo.com

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