Pearl Harbor
remembered
By
ROSE SAN DIEGO
December 8, 2015
CHICAGO – Remembering
the day, December 7th, 1941, a reason why we volunteered to save our
country, our families.
Not only did the Japanese
unload its arsenal from the air on the Island of Hawaii, but also on
the Philippines Islands as well that day. The surprise air bombardment
annihilated the Navy's entire Pacific Seventh Fleet at Pearl Harbor
within hours. Across the ocean the Japanese Zeros were also creating
havoc destroying US bases in the Philippines, Guam and Midway.
These aging Filipino WWII
veterans continue to gather regularly to share their daily life
struggles but most importantly to share in a bond of camaraderie with
one another. After each gathering they have a merienda style of
refreshments and then depart in all directions on their way home,
hoping to meet for another community mission.
Continuing on their agenda
is the hopeful return of at least one of the three church bells
removed from the Town of Balangiga, Eastern Samar in 1901 and is still
a priority in their lifetime. Another great observance is Bataan Day,
commemorated annually on April 9th when US Forces first surrendered
the Town of Bataan and its soldiers in 1942 to the enemy, the Imperial
Japanese Army.
Our history and culture
remains rich and alive because of the stories still shared by these
gate-keepers, some may call Lolo. I am inspired and proud to call them
our nation's heroes.