25 WW II veterans get US Congressional Gold Medal
AFTER seven decades of their unheralded heroism, 25 veterans in Pangasinan who fought alongside American troops during the World War II were finally awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday.
US Embassy Senior Defense Officer Stephen Ma, in his speech, said the award is the highest recognition given only to those whose contributions greatly contributed to the welfare of the USA as a nation.
The youngest surviving veteran to receive the award is 95-year old Col. Miguel Aure, while the oldest are Pfc. Gregorio Martinez and Pvt. Placido Laureta, both are 102 years old.
Most of the awardees personally received their medals, while others were represented by their families in the ceremony held during the celebration of 13th Pangasinan Veteran’s Day and 75th Landing of General Douglas McArthur on Thursday.
Only 41 of the 181 surviving veterans managed to attend the ceremony.
“We are celebrating bravery. This is an expression of gratitude to our living veterans and honouring the bravery of the fallen war veterans,” said Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Peace and Order Gen. Bernardo Florece Jr., who represented DILG Sec. Eduardo Año.
Meanwhile, Gov. Amado Espino III, in his speech, thanked and assured the veterans and their families that their sacrifices will continue to be appreciated by future generations of Pangasinenses.
“Your sacrifices will not be in vain as we will continue what you have started. We will teach the next generations to be grateful, by being grateful they will know how to love, and knowing how to love will teach them how to sacrifice,” Espino said.
The veterans and their families were provided medical attention at the Provincial Training and Development Center 1.
In an interview, Laureta said the US government’s acknowledgment of their contributions during the war is a vindication of their sacrifices though belatedly.
A film, which featured the bravery of the WW II veterans and the allied forces, was shown at the Capitol Plaza at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson, led the inauguration of the Royal Australian Navy marker. (Helen Martin)
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