|
A
salute to World War II veterans
From
www.mb.com.ph (April 5, 2002)
(Speech
delivered by former Presiding Justice MANUEL R. PAMARAN, President,
ROTC Hunters Guerilla Asso.; Member, Supreme Council, Veterans
Federation of the Philippines, before the Rotary Club of Makati-Legaspi,
April 4, 2002.)
IT
is with mixed feeling of humility and pride that I appear
before you today. Greater men than I am have preceded me to
this rostrum and the thought of it at once evokes in me a
deep sense of humility. At the same time, I feel singularly
proud to be invited to express a measure of my thoughts before
this distinguished forum regarding World War II veterans in
view of the approaching observance of Araw ng Kagitingan and
Philippine Veterans Week.
Presidential
Memorandum Order No. 52, providing for the observance of Araw
ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week on April 5-11,
2002, is a fitting salute to the unparalleled gallantry and
courage displayed by World War II veterans during the war.
The observance commemorates the historical events that transpired
during World War II like the Battle of Bataan and Corregidor,
the death march followed by enduring captivity and various
guerilla activities of the Filipino veterans who sacrificed
their lives and limbs under agonizing and tormenting circumstances
so that freedom and democracy will be enjoyed by generations
of Filipinos. It becomes incumbent upon us who are savoring
the fruits of their supreme sacrifice to reflect on and revisit
our way of life and devise measures with a solid aim to implement
them so that the love and greatness for the country which
they dreamt and fought for will become a reality. Among these
are:
We
do away with the costly, violent and dirty elections wherein
even the undeservings are elected, by improving the present
electoral system in which only the patriotic and intelligible
are elected in a fair, honest, inexpensive and peaceful election;
imbue our civil service system with meritocracy wherein only
the best and brightest, based primarily on merit and seniority,
insulated from pernicious effect of partisan influence and
unmitigated personal aggrandizement, are appointed. We venture
into a crusade to rehabilitate our sagging mores in private
and public life so that graft and corruption which hamper
our aspiration to greatness and better life will be a thing
of the past and our obeisance to our free and democratic processes
should not be interpreted and practiced to suit one's political
or personal convenience, aim and purpose. We deeply respect
and interpret our Constitution and laws along peaceful democratic
processes for they are the only true expression of the sovereign
will especially on governance, as the alternative to it is
tumult in the street and turbulence, inflamed passion and
acrimony tending to destabilize institutions. If we will pull
ourselves together in the same manner that we were solidly
united during the war days to achieve this goal, the salute
we are giving World War II veterans every year is not hollow,
delusive and merely ceremonial but with sincerity and dedication.
We likewise prove that they did not die and sacrifice in vain
for we carry on the torch, so to speak, for the fullest fulfillment
of our dreams and aspirations as a nation. To act otherwise,
is to betray instead of paying homage to their ideals.
Viewed
from another angle, World War II veterans are fast diminishing
in number and suffering from declining physical strength while
treading the last mile of their journey. In that predicament,
they should be given the reward that they richly deserve,
not only increase in material aid to lift them up from the
deep morass of penury and woe, but also such other acts of
grace that a grateful nation deems fit and proper, not for
pity but for honor and justice, recognition and respect for
holding aglow the holy fire of patriotism at the time it was
needed most. Truthfully, they did not think of this material
reward when they engaged in the crucible of battles but it
is for us the living to make the necessary and appropriate
response for them to live in dignity. Will your heart not
break asunder and your tears fall if you see World War II
veterans homeless and destitute! And what is lamentable about
the whole thing is that in those days of darkness and tribulations,
the United States soldiers who happened to be their comrades-in-arm
for the greater interest of their government are enjoying
the benefits of triumph and glory but our veterans are neglected
and have to still struggle for equal enjoyment of the same.
Certainly,
a determined dedication and commitment to implement the results
of those reflections and revisitation as stated before will
make Philippine Veterans Week truly meaningful and significant.
With the full support of the civic-minded and well-meaning
Rotarians, whose love of country and abiding concern for the
veterans are at their loftiest level, these will undoubtedly
be fully accomplished.
Thank
you and good day.
|
|