Chicago Nightingales keeps memory of Church Bells ringing after 116 years during BALANGIGA Remembrance

The Chicago Nightingales (CN), a nurses organization commemorated a vigil when they assembled at their regular board meeting in observance of an occurrence in the Samar Region, nearly 116 years ago next week on September 28, 1901 in the town of Balangiga during the Philippine American War 1899-1902.

During the event, the names of forty-eight soldiers who lost their lives in action from the roster of the US Army 9th Infantry Regiment of Company “C” were read by four Chicago Nightingale nurses following an impromptu strike of a miniature bell each time twelve names were called. The bells chime echoing out to the group of nurses leaving goosebump sensations. A separate blank paper was folded in quarters with a lone chime representing in memoriam the twenty-eight villagers killed also that day, who either resided in the town or nearby barangays. The memorial program reading of the names for the nurses organizations was led by its CN President Phoebe Doruelo, RN.

In an asserted effort the Chicago Nightingales stands along with Philippine President Duterte in requesting the assistance of US President Donald Trump to safely secure the immediate release of the three church bells removed from the Town of Balangiga, Samar. Our mission is to help remind the sacrifices made then and to keep the bells ringing for the fallen until their return.

The healing process must begin somewhere, from someone and thus far it has taken our nations heroes of 1942, to include the Forgotten War of Korea and Vietnam to know first-hand the ugly face of war. The Philippine American War was unavoidable under its existing colonial conditions that ended tragically on both sides 116 years ago.

Chicago Nightingales is a 501 c (3) status founded in 2013. A voluntary, impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian organization whose mission is to promote health and wellness in the community and provide assistance to communities stricken by human-induced disaster or calamities locally and in third world countries, principally the Philippines.

Dear Editor, Pass a clean DREAM Act NOW!

Today marks the final Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal deadline for any DACA-mented individuals whose work authorization expires before March 18, 2018. In response to the cruel and arbitrary deadline imposed by the Trump Administration, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) issued the following statement:

Alvina Yeh, APALA National’s Executive Director said, “Days like today is a painful reminder of the Trump’s administration’s hateful attacks on immigrant communities. We know that the impact of the end of the DACA program extends beyond the 800,000 DACA recipients but also includes their families, friends, and colleagues. We have to remember, however, that it was the bravery and courage of Undocumented immigrant youth and their families that made the DACA program possible in the first place. We will continue to defend, protect and fight alongside our immigrant brothers, sisters, and siblings and use all vehicles possible until we see a clean DREAM Act passed in Congress.”

APALA National President Monica Thammarath added, “Today, I am keeping the stories of our Undocumented immigrant youth close. I am thinking of the late Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix, two immigrant rights leaders who tirelessly fought for the passing of the DREAM Act of 2010. Even though that bill failed by a narrow margin, their stories remind me that we cannot stop fighting until all Undocumented immigrant communities are able to live without shame or fear.

DACA was only a means to our goal but not the goal itself. With DACA rescinded we call on Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution to provide young Undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship without endangering other communities in the process. We call on Congress to pass a #cleanDREAMAct now.”

Thanksgiving Parade Update

Dear FACC Board Members and Advisors, Partners, Friends, and Supporters,

At long last – This afternoon we just received word about our participation in this year’s Thanksgiving Parade: “your group having a float in the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade will be great. I will be sending you more information about your participation in the parade very soon. ”

Elaine Lehman

FACC Executive Director