Philippine history is the history of the men and women who valorously fought and gave heart and soul to win freedom for our people. There are some 260,000 Filipino veterans in the country today. Their number is daily dwindling due to old age, disability, and diseases.

Presidential Proclamation No. 466 issued by President Corazon C. Aquino on September 14, 1989, declared the period April 5-11 as Philippine Veterans Week. This week long celebration is held to pay tribute to all Filipino veterans, living and dead, of the Philippine Revolution, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts where our country has sent military contingents to help preserve world peace.

Once-lustrous medals now dulled by time, mothball-smelling uniforms, rusty rifles, and other mementoes remind them of the past when they served the country. Save for a lump-sump financial remuneration after completing their tour of duty and a monthly pension now rendered inadequate due to the ongoing global recession, our Philippine veterans fight on. The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) helps them in their various needs, especially medical and hospitalization expenses. It is fortunate that World War II veterans will soon be receiving long overdue payments from the US government.

We celebrate Philippine Veterans Week to perpetuate the priceless legacy they bequeathed to us. Our Philippine veterans are our inspiration to build a better and greater Filipino nation. Their deeds will be our guide as we take our turn to make our nation free in the decades to come.

We salute our Philippine veterans. They are the living symbols of our people’s heroism and gallantry.