JFAV marks 64th year of the Leyte Landing in LA

JFAV Update
October 27, 2008

Filipino Veterans Commemorate 64th Year of the Leyte Landing at HPMC in LA

Los Angeles –The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) commemorated the 64th Year of the Leyte landing, October 20, 1944- the start of the Liberation of the Philippines with the proper rites at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) in Vermont and Fountain St in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 2008.

Scores of World War II veterans, community advocates and the Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Aragon, Vice Consul Daniel Espiritu, Errol Santos of HPMC and hospital personnels led the simple rites held at the HPMC auditorium.

A Filipino mass was officiated by Fr. George Florendo to pay tribute to both living and departed veterans who fought in World War II in the Philippines.

Commander Lulu Astilla, Commander Jack Vergara of the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS) and Peping Baclig of Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), led the veterans.

On Oct. 20, 1944, the Sixth Army landed on the beach of Leyte with Macarthur wading ashore and proclaiming, “I have returned.”
Japan’s defeat in Leyte. Led to the liberation of the Philippines in 1945. Japanese losses were 56,600 killed or captured, as against only 3,000 for the Sixth Army or a kill ratio of 19 to 1. By Christmas Day, 1944 Japanese organized resistance on Leyte ended.

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