A Tribute to Filipino American World War II Veterans

If you are near to this event, do go and let’s all pay homage to all the Filipino-American WWII vets!  I am a Navy Veteran and feel honored to be and I want to Thanks them for what they have done to help the war.  This article is from here

To commemorate Filipino American History month in October, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program presents a panel discussion to honor the history and campaign of Filipino and Filipino American veterans for recognition and equity.

Time:
Friday, October 23, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location:
Rasmuson Auditorium
National Museum of the American Indian
4th Street and Independence Avenue

Metro:
L’Enfant Plaza (Yellow or Green lines)
Maryland Avenue/Smithsonian Museums exit

In July 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt drafted 140,000 soldiers of the Philippines to fight alongside American soldiers against invading Japanese forces. In 1942, Congress passed legislation allowing Filipino veterans to become U.S. citizens, but, in 1946, President Harry Truman signed bills rescinding those citizenship and veteran benefits. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a law allowing Filipino veterans to come to the United States and to become citizens but without the veteran benefits. For more than 60 years, Filipino veterans are still fighting for their rights.

Rick Rocamora, a Filipino American photojournalist, documented the plight of these elderly veterans as they try to start new lives in the United States. Rocamora will discuss his documentary photography and sign books at the end of the program. He will be joined on the panel by local Filipino American World War II veterans.

This event is free and open to the public.