THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE
(A Poem Honoring Filipino US CGM Awardees)
by: RAFAEL E. EVANGELISTA
December 9, 2019
We salute our vets,
We salute our flag,
As we now remember ...
For love, some sacrificed some...
And others sacrificed all!
Prayers from our hearts,
Blossoms on the ground,
White crosses that remind ...
Many sacrificed some...
And many sacrificed all!
Our country ‘tis to thee,
Our land of liberty,
That to our fathers gave ...
Some sacrificing some...
Some sacrificing all!
We now stand proud and tall
By warmth of freedom blessed,
Because they marched before...
In pitched battle risking some...
In throes of death giving all!
If today, the air around is free
And the skies above are clear,
Remember there were those...
Who for love gave some...
While others gave their all!
Straighten wayward crosses,
Plant flowers on their graves,
Say a prayer for them who were
Wounded, died... or forgotten...
Who gave some... or maybe all!
Do not let their pictures fade,
In our hearts, or minds, or homes.
Tell the children of the heroes...
Who risked their lives for them...
Sacrificing blood... or life for all!
REFLECTIONS
My take on the US CGM
by: RAFAEL E. EVANGELISTA
Immediate Past National Commander of the Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, Inc.
(This article was written on the occasion of the awarding of the US CGM to
Filipino veterans of WW II on 26 November 2019)
click on the link below to read
https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/the-philippine-star/20191127/281625307154239
US Congressional Gold Medal Awarding Ceremony
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Defender Abaya and Defender Grafil were honored with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (CGM)
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The U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) was awarded to Defender Eduardo C. Abaya (100) and Defender Jaime E. Grafil (99) together with 30 WWII veterans in a ceremony at the Tejeros Hall, AFPCOC, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon city on 10 June 2019.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led the awarding ceremony with the U.S. Embassy delegation which was comprised of Dir. Tracey Betts and Deputy Chief of Mission John Law were present during as well. AFP Chief of Staff Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. ` |
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Defender Eduardo Capistrano Abaya's 100th Birthday
May 26, 2019 at Club Filipino, Greenhills San Juan, we celebrated a very special and rare occasion, our very own DBC veteran has reached 100 years.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
on Tuesday, December 4, 2018
at 8 o’ clock in the morning
Commissioned Officers Club, Dimalupig A
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo,
Quezon City
RSVP : Ms. Jewel Ballesteros - 912-1111
Ms. Malu Deglison - 913-2742
Attire : Smart Casual
DBC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 2018
Reply Form Click here
If you are a Defender of Bataan and Corregidor or a direct descendant of a Defender,
pls. click on this link to sign up for membership.
VISION
The immortalization of the heroics of young Filipinos who gallantly braved the onslaught of the enemies trampling our sacred shores in Bataan and Corregidor for love of Country, through forums, publications, museums, libraries, memoriam, anniversary celebrations and other such avenues that would inculcate into the minds of the present generations, the legacy of their forebears is the freedom they now so enjoy.
MISSION
- To have a venue for Bataan and Corregidor survivors to meet frequently to constantly keep alive their common concerns as in the past.
- To keep track of living WWII veterans and their families with the end in view of being able to help them in any possible way when presented with problems the Association can alleviate.
- To facilitate claims/benefits with Philippine and/or US governments through their proper agencies.
- To be able to present the collective efforts of the WWII veterans to pursue from the National Government and/or any of its agencies mandated to attend to our member's legitimate needs.
DEFENDER'S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, through Your Son,
Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit
We rise with contrite hearts to praise You,
Thank You and glorify You!
We beseech You to bless us
Your defenders of this blessed country.
Forgive us for our doubts and weaknesses;
Bless us again with the courage to always
do our best for what is right according
to Your divine will.
Bless the souls of our brothers-in-arms
You have already called into Your kingdom;
Inspire us the living to love and serve
our needy and poor comrades;
Teach us, reveal to us and lead us in Your
Holy ways in building our nation with
a people of abiding faith and love for You,
Whom we revere with joy as our Lord and Savior,
Your Son, Jesus Christ!
Finally, we thank You for the peace and prosperity
You give us from Your ever flowing bounty!
Glory to You, our Father, Your Son – our Lord
and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit
We rise with contrite hearts to praise You,
Thank You and glorify You!
We beseech You to bless us
Your defenders of this blessed country.
Forgive us for our doubts and weaknesses;
Bless us again with the courage to always
do our best for what is right according
to Your divine will.
Bless the souls of our brothers-in-arms
You have already called into Your kingdom;
Inspire us the living to love and serve
our needy and poor comrades;
Teach us, reveal to us and lead us in Your
Holy ways in building our nation with
a people of abiding faith and love for You,
Whom we revere with joy as our Lord and Savior,
Your Son, Jesus Christ!
Finally, we thank You for the peace and prosperity
You give us from Your ever flowing bounty!
Glory to You, our Father, Your Son – our Lord
and Holy Spirit. Amen.
DEFENDER'S PLEDGE
Calling on as witnesses, my brothers –in-arms who have paid the supreme sacrifice in Bataan, Corregidor, the Death March, and Capas, do solemnly pledge:
1. To uphold and abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc (DBC), and to support and sustain the DBC in all its legitimate and legal aspirations, goals and projects specially those in support of the veterans;
2. To extend material and spiritual assistance within my power to the Defenders and other members of DBC who may be in need of it; and
3. To be vigilant in defense and militant in the propagation of the ideals for which the Defenders fought and their comrades died, namely, Justice Liberty and Democracy.
This Pledge I will constantly bear in mind, in heart, and in soul.
_________________________
Signature above printed name
__________________ Date
_____________________________
National Commander
1. To uphold and abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc (DBC), and to support and sustain the DBC in all its legitimate and legal aspirations, goals and projects specially those in support of the veterans;
2. To extend material and spiritual assistance within my power to the Defenders and other members of DBC who may be in need of it; and
3. To be vigilant in defense and militant in the propagation of the ideals for which the Defenders fought and their comrades died, namely, Justice Liberty and Democracy.
This Pledge I will constantly bear in mind, in heart, and in soul.
_________________________
Signature above printed name
__________________ Date
_____________________________
National Commander