Memorial honoring
Filipino vets to debutThe WWII monument will be
unveiled at a ceremony on Sunday
Filipino American World War II veterans will be honored Sunday with the unveiling of a memorial commemorating their efforts.
"It is an honor that such a monument will be a living stone for us veterans," said veteran Leon Babaniag, 79, of Waipahu.
The unveiling will be 1 p.m. Sunday at the Filipino Community Center at 94-428 Mokuola St. The public is invited to the ceremony and a celebration to follow.
The concrete memorial -- near the front steps of the center facing Waipahu Street -- stands 6 feet high and 10 feet wide and will include a granite plaque engraved with the names of Filipino American veterans and women who were members of the Lady's Auxiliary. It has two pillars symbolizing America and the Philippines and is connected by a curving rainbow symbolically uniting the two countries.
The monument was designed by architect Oscar Paez Jr. and constructed by Lito Alcantra of Group Builders, who donated the materials and manpower. Alcantra said the granite plaque is expected to arrive from Los Angeles next month.
The veterans suffered and sacrificed their lives, said Alcantra.
"We have owed them this honor and recognition for a long time," he said.
Thousands of Filipino-American veterans served with the U.S. military during World War II under the order of President Franklin Roosevelt.
"We are thankful that our dream for a memorial has been constructed to recognize and honor our sacrifices and fighting for freedom and democracy," said Art Caleda, executive vice president of the World War II Filipino-American Veterans Hawaii chapter.
Caleda, 80, who fought on the front lines while gathering information on the enemy's position, was injured when shrapnel lodged in his chin during a battle in northern Luzon.
"This is a living legacy for our children and our children's children," Caleda said.
About 2,000 Filipino American veterans live in Hawaii. The unveiling of the memorial also coincides with the fiesta of the Olongapo Association of Hawaii and the 10th anniversary of the World War II Filipino-American Veterans Hawaii chapter.
The unveiling comes soon after President Bush signed two bills into law providing additional benefits to Filipino American veterans and their wives.
Bush signed a bill on the eve of the Pearl Harbor anniversary providing some 8,000 veterans living in the United States access to health care benefits at Veterans Administration hospitals and at nursing homes. Soon after, he signed another bill providing compensation benefits for 400 widows of Filipino American veterans and former New Philippine Scouts who were injured during World War II.