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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2020

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By: Veronica Leighton

 

Growing up in the Philippines, had heard my parents’ and grandparents’ stories about the second world war in the Philippines, the atrocities of the Japanese conquerors and their admiration and love for the American soldiers whom they looked up to as their heroes when they came to their rescue after five years at war.

The name “Pearl Harbor” was often heard and referred to in the war stories we’ve heard, as the Philippines was also attacked a few hours after the Imperial Japanese forces’ surprise attack in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

This historic war event in Pearl Harbor had killed 2,403 Americans and injured 1,178 others, while the total war had killed 527,000 Filipino civilians and military. The Pearl Harbor attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four others, three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer. Aircraft losses were 188 destroyed and 159 damaged.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was proclaimed in 1994 by the U.S. Congress to be officially observed and designated December 7 of each year as the Remembrance Day, in a joint resolution signed by President Bill Clinton on August 2, 1994, to honor those who died as a result of the attack on U.S. military forces that started the World War II in Asia against the Japanese.

On this Vibes column in this issue, let me feature a couple of individuals who share their thoughts in remembering and honoring those who died and perished at the Pearl Harbor surprise attack.

They are both non-participating fighters of the Pearl Harbor as they were not even born yet during the war but they have heard about the heroic and horror stories about the Pearl Harbor since their childhood.

Mr. Dale Tippett is the Commander of 9th District, Department of Illinois The American Legion, and Ms. Julie Berkowitz is the Will County Board and Forest Preserve Commissioner

My special thanks to VT reader and follower, Mr. Danny Pardo, for composing a nice poem dedicated to VERONICA (see poem above of this page). Wow! I am so elated and delighted to read it over and over. Here’s sharing with you, dear readers and maraming salamat sa iyo, Danny

Veronica

Venus Bacatan Leighton, is the founder and producer of the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame project, that gives distinguished awards and recognition to Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, Asian- Americans and friends of Filipinos.

Everybody knows Veronica is also the Executive Producer of the Chicago Philippine Reports TV (CPRTV), the only locally-produced one-hour Filipino Television show in Chicago for almost 40 years.

Real, true and deserving of all the accolades she had received for her accomplishments, which includes various awards and honors of many kinds, that many only dream to receive them.

Outstanding citizen of Chicago Illinois and also loved and admired by the people of the Philippines for all her humanitarian projects.

Never have we ever heard anyone say a negative word against Veronica for the many years of being under the scrutiny of millions of people who have known her from all her TV shows and personal appearances.

Instead, only words of praise and compliments had become normal and usual conversation among friends, when they talked about Veronica.

Courteousness, cordiality and caring are few of the characteristics that dominated the life of Veronica, that made her the envy of the few.

And last but not least, Veronica will do everything to find a way to help a friend or anyone in need or help or assistance.

Originally and Specially written for Veronica Leigton By: Danny Prado

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