The rifle shots are loud with each shot ringing in my ears. As I sit and watch the American flag being presented to my mother, the tears slowly run down my face.  I can still hear the sound of the trumpet as "Taps" is being played.  

     Luis Almares, the old soldier, my grandfather is laid to rest.

     I can easily remember the times he would tell me of how much he loves this country.  A country that he would live and die for.

     Luis was among the 142,000 Filipino soldiers who fought alongside with the Americans in the bitter battle against the Japanese during World War II. These soldiers were members of the Philippine army or guerilla units attached to the US forces.  Soldiers that survived the bloody battle in Bataan, survived the infamous "Death March", hid and fed American soldiers who escaped capture and helped Gen. Douglas MacArthur liberate their homeland.

     In the end, there were about 500 casualties from the pre-invasion raid in the Philippines and 250,000 military casualties during the three years of enemy occupation.

     Stories from the war were heard from time to time in the Almares-Amith household.   

     My grandfather could clearly remember how they lived during the war, the losses he suffered and the day the war ended. Unfortunately, when I was younger, I had no interest in these stories and let them go in one ear and out the other.

     A few years ago, I was asked by an associate to join him in the fight for the rights of the Filipino veterans.

     I was not even aware that Filipino veterans were fighting for any issue or rights.  After World War II, veterans of 60 countries under U.S. command received pension and naturalization benefits.  Only the Filipino veterans were denied those benefits. 

     Now these veterans are in their 70's and 80's are fighting the final battle of their lives to rescind the 1946 act by Congress which denied them these benefits.

     In 1996, Filipino veterans all over the country held a hunger strike in Los Angeles, a march in Washington, D.C. and a few chained themselves to the White House fence.

     Although there is wide support for the veterans, the Filipino Veteran's Equity Act, a bill authored by New York Republican Benjamin Gillman and California Democrat Bob Filner, co-authored by Hawaii Democrat Senators Daniel Inoue and Daniel Akaka was stalled in the house.

     According to the ACAF, If the bill was passed, the 28,000 living veterans would be entitled to $119 million in pension and medical benefits.  Total estimates would decline to $87 million in the year 2002.  

     Many of the veterans are vocal about how the money is not as important to them now but they want the recognition of their service as veterans who fought for the country that they love.  

     Since 1997, I have assisted veterans and the family members of the veterans by informing people through the Internet and through my web sites regarding this issue.

     Just a few months ago, I told my grandfather that I would be writing a story on this matter.

     He told me that when he was younger, he was shocked that they weren't given the benefits, but to him, he will always love this country no matter what.

     That same night, I asked him to tell me the war stories that he could remember.  As I sat and listened, I watched as his eyes turned watery when discussing his fallen comrades and the past.  He shared his happiness with me that I would be writing this story and that he would like to see it.  Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away this summer, but his memories have been passed on to me and now I have joined other grandchildren to carry the battle for their grandfathers.

     I urge you to support the Filipino Veterans Equity Act when it comes up again in Congress.

     You can write your local U.S. Senator and memberof Congress to support the bill and also you can join the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans.

     For more information, please visit http://www.filipinocenter.com/vets/  and please help us make sure that these old soldiers will never be forgotten.

It's been 51 years since about 142,000 Filipino veterans fought in World War II after then President Franklin Roosevelt called them into active service under the U.S. flag. Their reward for that service was the Rescission Act of 1946, which denied them the same rights given to other World War II veterans. Today, there are only about 70,000 surviving Filipino veterans in the U.S. and in the Philippines �still waiting to see justice in their lifetime ?As written on the brochure of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans.

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More articles by Dennis A. Amith