AARP to pay for 1000 medals for Filipino veterans

SCREEN CAPTURE

Filipino WWII veterans await the start of the ceremonies awarding the Congressional Gold Medal.

AARP saluted the Filipino and Filipino American veterans of World War II by funding the minting of 1,000 bronze replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal to be given to veterans and their family members in recognition of their service and sacrifice. 

Commissioned by Congress, the medals are the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.

The veterans were honored in a national celebration on Capitol Hill on Oct. 25, where House Speaker Paul Ryan presented them the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the nation for the distinguished service of 260,000 Filipino and Filipino/American soldiers and guerrillas during World War II in the Philippines.

RELATED: Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Filipino veterans

“AARP is proud to support the efforts to recognize and celebrate Filipino and Filipino American World War II veterans,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “We are so pleased to join with the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project and this nation in the shared goal of ensuring that future generations of Americans understand these vets’ incredible sacrifices.”

The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) spearheaded the effort to pass the Congressional Gold Medal legislation and worked with the U.S. Mint to manage the minting and production of the medals.

“It has been 72 years since the end of World War II, and these vets’ service and sacrifice have not been forgotten,” said FilVetREP Chairman (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba. “These Congressional Gold Medals recognize and celebrate the extraordinary sacrifices and contributions of Filipino WWII soldiers. AARP’s support has been extremely valuable in this effort.”

Filipino World War II veterans or surviving family members are urged to register so they can receive long-overdue recognition of their service. 

• Register with The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project here.
• If any individual. business or organization wishes to donate to help pay for the veterans' medals, click here. 

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