Obama signs bill; Filipino WWII veterans awarded Congressional Gold Medal

Filipino WWII veterans have been fighting for recognition and benefits from the U.S. government for decades.

By Louis Chan
ASAM NEWS

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA  signed a bill Dec. 14 into law that awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino and Filipino/American World War II war veterans.

The bill sponsored by Rep Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Mazie Hirono, both Democrats from Hawaii, honors the contributions of 260,000 Filipino veterans. Only 18,000 of them remain alive, according to Gabbard.

“These loyal and courageous soldiers, suffered, fought, with many giving up their lives alongside their American counterparts throughout the war,” said Gabbard.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor from Congress.

“After enduring 75 years of injustice and humiliation, our Filipino World War II veterans regained their honor and dignity when Congress passed the Congressional Gold Medal Award — a historic bill President Obama signed into law today,” said retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba.

RELATED:

• Senate passes bill to honor WWII Filipino vets
• Shameful anniversary for U.S. Congress

The bill, in part, is in response to past acts by the U.S. which denied promised U.S. benefits to these veterans. Although some of those veterans have in recent years recovered those benefits, others continue the struggle.

Both Gabbard and Hirono have bills pending to rectify that.

“The Filipino veterans of World War II overcame many challenges in their fight for compensation, family reunification, and verification of wartime service,” said Hirono.

President Barack Obama has signed a measure into law that honors Filipino and Filipino-American World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal.

“By signing our bill into law, President Obama recognized these veterans’ courage and perseverance, both during the war and in the decades of battles for benefits that followed,” said U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono in a news release.

“This day is only possible thanks to the commitment of veterans, families and advocates in Hawaii and across the country who worked tirelessly to see this effort through Congress. While this recognition is long-overdue, the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting tribute to the sacrifice that these veterans made for our country,” she said.

The House and Senate passed their respective bills unanimously. The Senate version was sponsored by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dean Heller (R-NV), Harry Reid (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Brian Schatz (D-HI). 

The House version (H.R.2737) was sponsored by Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Joseph Heck (R-NV), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Mark Takai (D-HI), and Jackie Speier (D-CA). Both bills were introduced on 11 June 2015.

In the news release, retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, who heads the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, said, “After enduring 75 years of injustice and humiliation, our Filipino World War II veterans regained their honor and dignity when Congress passed the Congressional Gold Medal Award — a historic bill President Obama signed into law today.

“With deep gratitude, our nation has now come to fully recognize the service and sacrifice of our brave heroes who fought valiantly under the American flag,” he added.

(Views From the Edge contributed to this report.)

Filipino WWII vets running out of time to be recognized

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard  of Hawaii urges passage of HR2737.

THIS IS a critical time for Filipino veterans of World War II in their quest for recognition. If 
they get the Congressional Gold Medal for their service, the act that would grant them that honor would have to be passed before Congress breaks for the holidays.

"Time is of the essence for Congress to pass this legislation and honor these courageous men with the long overdue recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii.


“Too long have our veterans been unrewarded for their valiant service to this country, said Johanna Puno Hester, national president of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. "This is such an important piece of legislation that would send waves to the Filipino and Filipino American communities on the significant role we’ve played (and continue to play) in American history.”

If the Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 is not approved before a new Congress convenes in January, the whole legislative process would have to start over again. In the meantime, more of the elderly veterans will pass away before they receive that honor.

“Congressional Gold Medal bills require two-thirds of the House, or at least 290 members, to sign on to the bill before it can move forward," said Gabbard." I’m happy to report ... that we’ve exceeded this with 309 co-sponsors, with colleagues representing both parties and nearly every state and territory in our nation supporting legislation to recognize these men for their service and sacrifice.” 

Last week, U.S. House of Representative Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced that the House would vote on the Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 – a vote that could happen as early as Nov. 29.

RELATED: 

• Senate passes bill to honor WWII Filipino vets
• Obama opens the door to Filipino veterans

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) urges members of the House to pass the bill and recognize our veterans who thus far been unrecognized and denied rights and privileges for their service.

APALA Executive Director Gregory A. Cendana added: “We’re calling all hands on deck. The Senate already passed the bill earlier this year, and we need to continue to pressure our representatives in the House to ensure the bill goes to President Obama. It’s time to put our foot on the gas, not step on the brakes.”

The Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 would award Filipino veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor by Congress.

Senate bill S1555, which was already passed by the Senate, and House bill HR2737 will impact veterans who fought and were assigned in the Philippine Scouts, Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary, New Philippine Scouts, Recognized Guerrillas, First Filipino Infantry Regiment, 2nd Filipino Infantry Battalion (Separate), and First Reconnaissance Battalion. The bills also include US Army officers (Caucasians) who commanded in the units. 

Over 260,000 Filipinos fought to defend the U.S. in World War II. "We think there are about 16,000 to 17,000 still alive from some 260,000 who fought back in WWII," said retired Gen. Antoino Taguba, who has lobbied Congress on the bill's behalf.

To support the campaign:

• Call members of the House Leadership to make sure our bill passes. Find contact information here: http://www.filvetrep.org/take-action/
• Share our social media outreach on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with your network and use the hashtag #FilVets and #FilVetREP

“Despite their critical role in the Pacific, Filipino World War II veterans have never been recognized by Congress for their service," said Tulsi, who is one of the sponsors of the House bill. "We’ve waited far too long to recognize these heroes alongside units like the Tuskeegee Airmen and Hawaii’s own 442nd/100th Infantry Battalion with the Congressional Gold Medal."

Senate passes bill to honor Filipino WWII veterans

The 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments trained in Eskrima martial art techniques using machetes.

THE U.S. SENATE voted unanimously Wednesday (July 13) to award Congressional Gold Medals to the Filipino and Filipino/American soldiers who fought in World War II. 

Senate Bill 1555 was pushed through by author Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (Hawaii) with 71 co-signers.

“Today, the Senate provided recognition to Filipino World War II veterans for their brave and courageous service to the United States,” said Sen. Hirono after the passage of the bill.

“These veterans were instrumental to an Allied victory in the Pacific theater, but their fight didn’t end with the war. For decades, they have continued to fight for the benefits they have earned and to be reunited with their families in the United States. I thank my Senate colleagues for joining me in recognizing these veterans’ service and sacrifice with the Congressional Gold Medal, one of our nation’s highest civilian honors.”

The House version,  House Resolution 2737, now faces the House of Representatives for approval. It is being championed by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii with 172 co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle.

"We are now hopeful for the bill’s passage in the U.S. House,” said Ben Acohido, Service Officer, VFW Post 1572 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, Veterans of Foreign Wars-Hawaii Chapter. 

       RELATED: Details announced for Filipino WWII vets reuniting with families
       A shameful anniversary for the U.S. Congress
       Memorial Day - Another try to pass the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act

Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret.)

When President Franklin Roosevelt called upon the Filipinos to join the U.S. military in fighting the invading Japanese Imperial forces, 260,000 men signed up in the Philippines.

They were joined by thousands more Filipinos who signed up in the United States to form the 1st and 2nd Filipino Regiments, both of which saw action in the Pacific before joining in the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese.

“Filipino World War II veterans served their country with distinct honor and uncommon valor and we owe them a profound debt of gratitude," said Major General (Retired) Antonio Taguba, Chair of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. Taguba lobbied in behalf of the Filipino veterans to fulfill the promises of U.S. citizenship and military benefits made to them by Roosevelt. Last week, he was interviewed on MSNBC about the bill. See video, below.

RELATED: Gen. Antonio Taguba - The forgotten victim of 9/11

“Filipino World War II veterans served and sacrificed alongside American forces and played an important role in the Allied victory,” said Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV). “I have spent my career fighting to ensure they receive the recognition and benefits they deserve. While we can never fully repay the debt we owe these brave soldiers, Congress can pay tribute to their courage by awarding them with the Congressional Gold Medal. Granting Filipino veterans this honor will be yet another step taken in correcting past wrongs and celebrating their heroic actions and the patriotism of their community.”

“Our nation’s Filipino veterans made tremendous sacrifices during World War II and played a big part in our victory. As such, they should be recognized for their service and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal,” said Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV). “Nevada is home to ‘The Mighty Five’ Filipino veterans – a group of heroes I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the years. While some are no longer with us, I am proud this legislation will finally ensure they receive proper recognition for their valiant acts of military service.”

Of the 66 nationalities that fought on the side of the Allies during WWII, only the Filipinos were denied those benefits. He estimates that there are 16,000 surviving veterans, whose ranks diminish every day.

Sen. Hirono has successfully led the fight to reunite these veterans who were granted U.S. citizenship in the 1990s in recognition of their service, with their children who were not, and successfully prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from taking funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to pay for other projects.

"I am proud that with the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Filipino World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, the veterans are significantly closer on their life long goal of national recognition of sacrifice and selfless service during World War II from the U.S. Congress," said Taguba. "They have waited 75 years for this proud and historic milestone in American history." 

Details announced for Filipino World War II veterans reuniting with their children

Library of Congress

It has taken decades of lobbying to win justice for the Filipino veterans.

THE DETAILS of a new policy that will enable family members of Filipino World War II veterans to apply to come to the United States while waiting the issuance of their visas, were revealed today (May 9) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

"Just this week," President Obama announced in his May 4 speech to the Asian American Institute of Congressional Studies, "we finalized a policy to help reunited Filipino World War II vets with their familiy members who are stuck in our immigration backlog.

This policy change, which will be in effect June 8, is in recognition of “the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II,” stated a press release from Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

“Advancing Justice | AAJC is proud to have played a leading role in the advocacy effort that resulted in this long-awaited relief for Filipino World War II veterans and their families,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of AAJC. “This action is long overdue.”

The Filipinos soldiers were promised by President Delano Roosevelt, U.S. citizenship and military benefits if they joined the U.S. forces at the start of WWII. More than 260,000 Filipinos joined the U.S. military forces stationed in the Philippines Commonwealth, which was still an American colony.

Immediately after the war, the U.S. Congress passed the Recession Acts, which essentially reneged on Roosevelt's promise. Ever since then, the veterans have been fighting for recognition and for the fulfillment of that promise. In a series of small hard-fought victories, that recognition and the debt owed the thousands of Filipino vets was eventually granted to the veterans but not to their families.

The case of the Filipino veterans became a cause celebre in the Asian American community resulting in rallies and lobbying on behalf of the  vets. Sympathetic lawmakers sponsored dozens of bills supporting the Filipinos' fight for equity.

In time, citizenship and benefits was granted to those who met the stringent requirements and had their documents, many of which were destroyed or lost during the Japanese Occupation. Over the years, the requirements were loosened and extended to a larger number of veterans to include those who fought in the guerrilla forces during the war. 

Eventually, the spouses and young children were allowed to join the veterans but not their elder children. The older children had to join the long wait for new immigrants, which in the Philippines is more than 20 years.

RELATED: Filipino veterans - A shameful anniversary for the U.S. Congress

The parole policy, also known as Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2015, was approved in September last year. It covers veterans’ surviving spouses who petition for their adult children to join them in the U.S. Furthermore, family members may be able to seek reinstatement of immigration petitions filed through veterans who are now deceased, and then self-petition for parole.

The policy shift was welcomed by JT Mallonga, National Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations. “Our courageous heroes, who have waited for up to 20 years, deserve the opportunity to be with their children. They must not suffer the pain of separation in the twilight of their years.”
Estimates indicate that there are approximately between 2,000 to 6,000 Filipino American World War II Filipino veterans still alive in the United States today, many of whom greatly desire to have their family members with them during their final days.

“If even 10 apply, it’s still the right thing to do,” said Rodel ­Rodis, a San Francisco-based lawyer who for decades, has done pro bono work on behalf of the veterans.

Moua continued, “Even as we celebrate this victory and rejoice that our veterans will finally reunite with their loved ones, we recognize there are many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community who remain separated from their family members. Advancing Justice | AAJC advocates for reforms to the immigration system so that immigrants will not have to endure decades-long backlogs as they await reunification with their loved ones.”

Advancing Justice | AAJC will continue to work with the Obama Administration and fellow advocates to reach out to the Filipino American community and their relatives in the Philippines with information about the program. In addition, the organization looks forward to supporting outreach efforts and expedient implementation of the program.

Details of this new policy can be found in the Federal Register, where it was filed two days ago.

For more information, contact Maura Nicholson, Deputy Chief, International Operations Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Suite 3300, Washington, DC 20529, Telephone 202-272-1892. (This is not a toll-free number.)

H.R. 2737: Congressional Gold Medal for vets

In other news, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) spoke on the House floor last month to call for quick passage of H.R. 2737 to award Filipino Veterans of WWII the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in June 2015, has 76 cosponsors in the U.S. House, and is partnered with S.1555 in the U.S. Senate. 

“There are more than 200,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty. They fought under our American flag during World War II.

"These loyal and courageous soldiers suffered, fought, and gave up their lives alongside their American counterparts throughout the war. Yet decades have gone by, and they are still waiting for their service to be recognized.

"I’ve introduced H.R. 2737, legislation that is strongly supported by members of both parties, and in both chambers, to award these deserving veterans the Congressional Gold Medal so that our country can show our appreciation and recognize them for their dedicated service and sacrifice in defeating the Imperial Japanese Army.

"Today there are just 18,000 of these Filipino World War II veterans who are still alive today. Time is of the essence. We cannot afford to wait. I urge my colleagues to quickly pass this legislation so that these courageous men may be honored while they are still among us.”

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For more news about Asian/Americans & Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

Filipino veterans: A shameful anniversary for the U.S. Congress

Library of Congress

Filipino World War II veterans are still fighting for their rights. 

SEVENTY YEARS ago today (Feb. 18) the U.S. Congress committed an act of betrayal. 

President Truman signed the Rescission Act, which took away the rights and benefits of thousands of Filipinos who fought for the United States during World War II. The few remaining Filipino veterans who are still alive - many walking with canes or in heir wheelchairs - are still fighting this battle against injustice.

At the start of the war against the Japanese, President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order incorporating the Philippine Commonwealth Army into the United States Armed Forces of the Far East under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

With that order came the promise that the Filipinos who joined the USAAFE would be eligible to receive the same benefits as the servicemen in the regular U.S. military.

Thousands heeded the call. They fought alongside their American comrades-in-arms against overwhelming odds, under-supplied and ill-equipped, they fought until U.S. forces surrendered in Bataan and Corridor.

RELATED: More details about the Rescission Act

Even after the surrender, thousands still fought as guerrillas, hiding in the jungles, raiding, spying and harassing the Japanese forces so much that the Imperial Army had to expend their energy fighting the U.S-backed units, delaying the Japanese invasion of Australia. It gave the Australians time to beef up their  defenses and the U.S. to bring reinforcements and supplies to their Australian allies.

In 1946, a budget-conscious Congress more concerned about financing the grand Marshall Plan and rebuilding Japan, their former enemy, appropriated a piddling $200 million to the Philippine Army. Contained in that appropriation bill was a rider: the infamous Recession Act, that overturned President Franklin's promise.

RELATED: Another Memorial Day, another Congress, another stab at justice

President Obama opens the door for veterans' family reunification 

At first, President Truman vetoed the bill because of that provision but when it came back to him, he reluctantly approved the bill on Feb. 20, 1946 saying (emphasis is mine):

“In approving H.R. 5158, I wish to take exception to a legislative rider attached to the transfer of a $200,000,000 item for the pay of the Army of the Philippines. The effect of this rider is to bar Philippine Army veterans from all benefits under the G.I. Bill of Rights with the exception of disability and death benefits which are made payable on the basis of one peso for every dollar of eligible benefits. I realize, however, that certain practical difficulties exist in applying the G.I. Bill of Rights to the Philippines. 

"However, the passage and approval of this legislation do not release the United States from its moral obligation to provide for the heroic Philippine veterans who sacrificed so much for the common cause during the war. 

"Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the United States and will continue in that status until July 4, 1946. They fought, as American nationals, under the American flag, and under the direction of our military leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under most difficult conditions during the recent conflict. Their officers were commissioned by us. Their official organization, the Army of the Philippine Commonwealth, was taken into the Armed forces of the United States by executive order of the President of the United States on July 26, 1941. That order has never been revoked or amended.

"I consider it a moral obligation of the United States to look after the welfare of Philippine Army veterans.”

Filipino/American groups threw their support behind the veterans' cause. and were later joined by other Asian/American legal and civil rights organizations. Through the years, sympathetic congressmen tried to correct this injustice.  

There have been some piecemeal victories: Citizenship was granted to some, but only for a limited group; benefits reinstated for some, but not all; Philippine Scouts were recognized but not the units that fought as guerillas or under Filipino commanders.   Most of the 250,000 veterans that would have qualified have died. However, there are still a few thousand waiting for their heroic deeds to be recognized, still fighting for the respect and justice they deserve. 

The least that can be done is for Congress to overturn the Rescission Act and fulfill the promise made when America needed the Filipinos most.

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President Obama opens the door for WWII Filipino veterans' families

Atomazul

The long fight for justice for the Filipino veterans became a cause celebre' that spanned generations.

THOUSANDS of Filipino WWII veterans who could not reunite with their families still in the Philippines, may get soon see their dreams come true. The White House report on immigration reforms released yesterday (July 15) has a recommendation that references the veterans' plight.

The interagency report was the result of President Barack Obama's executive action in 2014 that called for the United States to reform its immigration system. The better known, and more controversial parts of the action such as a path for citizenship for undocumented immigrants, are being challenged in the courts but the White House decided to move forward on other recommendations.

“My first reaction was happiness. But I am also saddened remembering our veterans like Manong Emong Guillermo and Jack Tejada and community champions like Alex Esclamado, who walked the halls of Congress, fighting for recognition and family reunification. They are gone now but their legacy lives on,” Marites Branigin, capitol region chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), told the Los Angeles Times.

Here is the portion of the report, "Modernizing & Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century," that specifically deals with the plight of the WWII veterans,

Although, there is not a set timetable for implementation of the "parole granted by the initiative, it shouldn't be a long drawn-out process. The majority of the veterans are in their 80s and 90s and for them to reunited with their families will be critical as they need relatives to care for their needs.

OPED: Commentary by Jason Tengco, Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Asian  Americans and Pacific Islanders

Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon used parole power expansively to destabilize the Cuban regime and grant status to most of the 621,403 applications received by Cuban asylum seekers fleeing the revolution in Cuba. President Kennedy and President Johnson also employed the parole power to parole over 15,000 Chinese nationals who fled Hong Kong in 1962, according to an Asian American Advancing Justice press release. 

AAAJ also said that following the Vietnam War, Presidents Ford and Carter also used executive parole to bring over 360,000 Indo-Chinese individuals from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to the United States when the number of available conditional entries was vastly exceeded.34 From 1972 until 1980, Soviet refugees also received parole when enough conditional entries were not available.35

Other Asian American communities joined the Filipino issue, as well as a score of lawmakers, rallying to this nonpartisan cause to fulfill the promise that was made by President Franklin Roosevelt to the 260,000 Filipinos who fought for the United States during WWII. Congress took that promise taken away in 1946 by the Rescission Acts.

              RELATED: WWII Filipino veterans still fighting for their rights

Alex Esclamado

Scores of congressmen sponsored bills to fulfill those promises for the Filipinos but found the legislative process an uphill battle. The late publisher of the  Philippine News, Alex Esclamado, made the issue a rallying cry in his attempts to unify the Filipino American communities divided by the partisan politics of the Philippines. It was a struggle all the way; dying in committee or not being able to gain enough support.

The Filipino veterans finally were granted citizenship in 1990 and benefits compensation  in 2009, but the bills did not include the veterans' families. The relatives had to go through the normal immigration channels. With an annual quota of 20,000 immigrants, the backlog for the Philippines was more than 20 years. 

As one of the editors of the San Francisco-based Philippine News, I rarely saw an issue go to print without an editorial, a column or a news story about the injustice meted out to the veterans. Esclamado's faith in America's legislative process and justice was unwavering and his staff was swept up in his belief.

Sometimes, it seemed like a hopeless cause but Esclamado never gave up. Appropriately, his favorite song was "To Dream The Impossible Dream," from the musical Man of La Mancha. 

The final dream of the aged veterans of spending the twilight of their lives surrounded by their families is finally in the realm of possibility, and it couldn't happen a moment too soon for the few thousand veterans still alive.  For hundreds of thousands of the Filipino veterans' compatriots, the delivery of President Roosevelt's promise have come too late.

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Memorial Day: Another Congress, another try to pass the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act

Filipino veterans who fought with Americans are still waiting for justice.

MEMORIAL DAY, 2015  -- old Filipino men who fought for America during World War II don their medals and old military caps. They stand at attention and salute the American flag that they once fought under despite a string of broken promises and disappointing denials by politicians. Many of them know there is one more battle to fight despite their aging bodies and dwindling ranks.

The latest round in the struggle for equity for the Filipino veterans of WWII began when Rep. Mark Takai (D-Hawaii) introduced his first bill to Congress in January by keeping his promise to Filipino veterans by introducing the Filipino Veteran Family Reunification Act of 2015. 

Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced a companion measure in the Senate.

UPDATE: President Obama opens the door for vets' family reunification

“I chose this bill as my first to introduce in the new Congress for two reasons,” Takai said in a statement. “First, to make good on our obligation to take care of our Filipino veterans of World War II by helping them to reunite with their children. And second, to make good on my promise to work in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues across the aisle on issues where we find common ground.”

The bill seeks to pave the way for Filipino World War II veterans to reunite with their families. In 1941, with assurances that they would receive full veteran's benefits for their service, more than 250,000 Filipino soldiers fought alongside U.S. troops during America's darkest hour.

Despite my 10 years working with the Philippine News, the most widely-read Filipino American newspaper, my father was more deeply immersed in the Filipino American community than I ever was. In the 1960s, he joined with his friends like Philippine News publisher Alex Esclamado, the UFW's Larry Itliong and Andy Imutan and other survivors of the Bataan Death March to launch the long battle for justice for their comrades who were still in the Philippines without any benefits, recognition and justice. They enlisted the aid of sympathetic lawmakers, presented their case to lawyers, the courts, and to the American public. Despite their hard work they encountered false hopes, blind alleys and rejection on Capitol Hill. 

It wasn't until 1990 when President George H. Bush signed the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, part of an immigration bill, were they able to claim a victory allowing many - but not all - of their friends to gain U.S. citizenship.

To understand the full extent of their frustration, you need to know the background that led to that moment.

After Pearl Harbor, by executive order, President Roosevelt put the Army of the Philippine Commonwealth under the command of the U.S. Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFEE). Over 250,000 Filipinos into the U.S.-led armed forces while ignoring the Japanese plea of "Asia for Asians." Filipinos fought shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers in the defense of the Philippines in the epic battles of Bataan & Corrigidor. The blood of Filipinos flowed with the brave U.S. defenders in the jungles of the Philippines.

The next year, Congress passed a law authorizing the naturalization of all aliens serving in United States forces. Immigration officers were sent to various war zones, but the Philippines, which by then was under Japanese occupation, was excluded. 

After the liberation of the Philippines, naturalization proceedings finally began in Manila but were soon halted. U.S. officials said the Filipino government feared a mass emigration of able-bodied men, but many Filipinos today say that was a pretext for not according citizenship and benefits to the veterans. The naturalization law expired at the end of 1946.

After the war, that promise was broken by Congress when it past the Rescission Acts, which pulled the rug out from underneath the Filipino veterans and reneged on Roosvelt's promise.

Filipino WWII veterans still fighting for equity.

When President Truman signed the ``Rescission Acts'' in 1946 he stated: ``Filipino Army veterans are nationals of the United States. They fought with gallantry and courage under the most difficult conditions during the recent conflict. Their officers were commissioned by us. Their official organization, the Army of the Philippine Commonwealth, was taken into the Armed Forces of the United States by Executive Order of President Roosevelt. That order has never been revoked or amended. I consider it a moral obligation of the United States to look after the welfare of the Filipino Army veteran.''

Its difficult not to believe that an element of racism played into the actions of Congress, especially when in 1973, Congress granted citizenship to resistance fighters from Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Congress' treatment of the Czechoslovakian and Polish veterans is inconsistent with the discrimination suffered by the Filipino veterans. No doubt both the Central European soldiers and their Filipino counterparts played important roles in their respective battlegrounds during World War II but the Filipinos should have been treated equally, if not given a leg up, since the Philippines during WWII was an American colony and they fought as U.S. nationals.

RELATED: California law review - Filipino Veterans Equity Movement 

In the late 1960s and 1970s, as Filipino Americans began realizing a need for unity and having a national voice, the one issue that united everyone was justice for the Filipino WWII vets. 

After decades of effort, President George H. Bush signed the Immigration Act of 1990, which offered citizenship to some Filipino veterans of World War II but the bill did not include their immediate families. 

Since then, a series of bills have gradually expanded the eligibility of Filipino veterans, offered compensation and benefits. One of those bills allowed the immigration of the immediate family members and "young" children but excluded the "older" children. 

By then, the WWII veterans were in their 60s and 70s so many had "older" children who were in their 30s and 40s. We need to understand that In the Filipino culture, family is paramount and the concept of "family" is the entire extended family. A nephew is treated as a son. A cousin is a brother. An uncle is seen as a second father. An elderly grandfather is accorded the utmost respect. To exclude the older children is a grave omission in the eyes of those elderly veterans.

Takai's bill and its counterpart in the Senate seeks to remedy that final injustice for the few surviving veterans who are now in their 80s and 90s.

Democratic lawmakers have introduced similar bills previously, including in 2013, but none has advanced through Congress. Two years ago, the measure was included in a comprehensive immigration bill approved by the Senate, but the GOP-controlled House killed that legislation by refusing to vote on it. The prospects of the bill advancing in a GOP-majority Congress is not given a great chance.

RELATED: Heres a video capsule about the veterans

Nevada's Rep. Joe Heck, who co-sponsored Takai's bill, added: "Like all veterans, our brave Filipino-American World War II veterans deserve to live out their years surrounded by their family members. This bill will help make that a reality by granting their children an exemption in the immigration process and expediting their path toward U.S. citizenship. It's the least we could do for these men who served alongside American troops and helped us win the war in the Pacific theater."

This Memorial Day, let's remember those surviving Filipino vets and the many, many more who have fallen while serving America and those who died before seeing justice delivered.