On June 12, 2024, the Philippines is celebrating its 126th anniversary of its independence from Spain. It was a historic time that was short lived when the United States colonized the Philippines in 1898 to 1946.
To reflect on the past, the most tragic and significant period where Philippine independence was brought to a halt was during World War II when Japan invaded and occupied the country from 1941 to 1945. This was the long period of infamy that nearly destroyed the Philippines. That too was halted had it not been for the fierce determination and uncommon valor of Filipino and American soldiers who were determined to fight and save the country.
Freedom and independence were restored by thousands of Filipino and American troops as they fought Japanese forces throughout the peninsula undeterred and undermanned thru their strength of patriotism, immeasurable courage, and unbridled mission to restore its democracy.
As we celebrate the 126th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence, let’s recognize and thank the thousands of men and women who fought for their country – the Filipino and American Veterans of WWII. Thousands perished from their wounds and thousands more were unaccounted for.
They helped restore peace and saved millions of lives for us to enjoy to this day.
There is a high cost to save and defend a country.
Freedom is not free!
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The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, community-based, all-volunteer national initiative whose mission is to obtain national recognition of Filipino and American WW11 soldiers across the United States and the Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. and the Philippines from July 26, 1941 to December 31, 1946. For more information about Filipino WWII veterans and how to get involved, visit our website at www.filvetrep.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.