WORLD War II (1942-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), the Vietnam War (1965-1975) – these and other conflicts where our country fulfilled its international commitments to help preserve world peace produced thousands of Filipino veterans. There are some 150,000 of them, many now in the twilight of their lives.
Faded pictures of them in their uniforms, one-lustrous medals now dulled by time, mothball-smelling military uniforms, rusty rifles, and other mementoes remind them of the past when, they marched to fulfill their sworn duty to defend the country, preserve freedom, and make the world a safer place to live in.
Save for a lump-sum financial remuneration after completing their tour of duty and a monthly pension now overtaken by double-digit inflation, our Philippine veterans have little to live on. A salute here and there, gatherings with fellow-veterans to relive the bygone days, or carrying the casket of a fellow-veteran who answered the final call ahead of the rest – these are some of the activities that help keep them going.
It is said that great is the man who gave up his life for the sake of a friend. But greater is he who gave up his life for the sake of his country. As we celebrate Philippine Veterans Week April 5-11, we salute our Philippine veterans. They are our country’s living symbols of our people’s heroism and gallantry.
