Press Release No. __07-12_

Bataan Day milestone celebration in Chicago

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago celebrated with the Filipino community and the Filipino and American veterans the 70th Commemoration of Bataan Day in Chicago.

Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim welcoming the guests, including the veterans and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White

In his remarks, Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim said: “To all our guests in this historic gathering, by your presence today you share a common and enduring bond with the brave and gallant Filipino and American soldiers in Bataan. Together, we shall ensure that Bataan shall be forever remembered. We shall honor the memories of Brave sacrifices in Bataan by remaining vigilant in the defense of freedom and consciously responsible in its exercise.”

Illinoi’s Attorney General Lisa Madigan said that “it is her privilege to recognize the 70th Commemoration of Bataan Day.” She further expressed that “we are forever grateful and indebted for their incredible sacrifice to ensure the triumph of liberty and democracy over tyranny and injustice. Many of our veterans have now passed on. But we will always honor their memories on this important day. And we can never thank them enough.”

Consul General Herrera-Lim with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White extended his “warmest welcome as the veterans gather in observance of the 70 th Commemoration of Bataan Day. This event offers the perfect opportunity to join family and friends in paying tribute to the courageous veterans and survivors of the infamous Bataan “Death March.” The bravery and valor of so many soldiers who fought to defend Bataan and Corregidor will never be forgotten.”

Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White after the latter delivered his message Among the estimated two hundred (200) guests who attended the event were: the Filipino and American World War II veterans and their relatives, American Board Members of the Maywood Bataan Day organization, Filipino American veterans of Post 509, Filipino American Judge Israel Desierto (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois), Filipino American Judge-elect Jessica O’Brien (Judicial Circuit of the Cook County, Illinois), Mr. Kenneth Clarke (President and CEO Of Pritzker Military Library, Chicago) and Director Nancy Houghton, Ms. Rebecca Sanchez (Senior Advisor to the Illinois Governor on Diplomatic Affairs and Business Management), Director William Schmutz (Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago), Director Marie Ann Limjoco (Office of U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky), Director Eric Salcedo and Ms. Nettie Lasko of the Attorney General’s Office, Mr. Gerard Moorer (Constituent Services Representative of U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis), Mr. James Yoo (Congressional Aide to U.S. Representative Mike Quigley), Mr. Ed Ortiz of the Public Accounting Firm EC Ortiz & Co., some members of the U.S. Armed Services, Filipino American officers of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), leaders of the community, Veterans of the Foreign Wars of the United States, and members of the media.

Consul General and Mrs. Leo M. Herrera-Lim assisted by Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the Philippine Liberation Medals and Certificates to wife and daughter of Mr. Sidney Adelson

Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim, assisted by Mrs. Fidelis C. Herrera- Lim, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jesse White presented the Philippine Liberation Medals (Philippine Independence Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge) and Certificates to World War II Veterans – Mr. Sidney Adelson and Ms. Cleopatra Q. Dulay- Pactol, both 94 years old.

Consul General and Mrs. Leo M. Herrera-Lim, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White, Judge-elect Jessica O’Brien with the veterans and guests

Mr. Sidney Adelson (born in and resident of Chicago) assisted in the Philippine Campaign from 1944 to 1945 that liberated the Philippines from enemy forces. The awards were received in his behalf by his wife and daughter – Ms. Shirley Adelson and Marla Cowan. Ms. Cleopatra Q. Dulay-Pactol on the other hand, was a commissioned Philippine Army nurse attached to a United States Army Hospital before and during the War. She was born in Aringay, La Union, Philippines, and held the rank of 3rd Lieutenant. “For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Southwest Pacific area from 08 December 1941 to February 1945”, Ms. Dulay-Pactol received the Bronze Star Medal from the United States Government.

Mrs. Cleopatra Dulay-Pactol

Attorney General Lisa Madigan also presented individual letters of recognition to 146 Filipino veterans and 9 American veterans, including the Maywood Bataan Day Organization. In her letter, Attorney General Madigan stated that “it is my honor and privilege to thank you for your service and valor in defense of liberty as we commemorate the 70 th Anniversary of Bataan Day. Seventy years ago, Americans and Filipinos stood together against tyranny. Your courage, valor, and sacrifice helped preserve the liberties and freedoms we are so blessed with today. You and your fellow service members earned the right to be called “The Greatest Generation. The United States, the Filipino people, and the residents of Illinois will always honor you and the memories of your comrades who had made the ultimate sacrifice. We can never thank you enough. Thank you.”

Consul General and Mrs. Leo M. Herrera-Lim with the veterans at the Bataan Corregidor Bridge

Consul General and Mrs. Herrera-Lim were joined by the veterans, members of the Fil-Am community, Judge Israel Desierto, Director William Schmutz (Chicago City Mayor’s Office’ Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on Asian Affairs), Director Marie Ann Limjoco (Office of Representative Jan Schakowsky), and the Consulate’s officers and staff in the floral offering.

Colonel Emilio Hidalgo (ret.), World War II veteran and Commander of Fil- Am Post 509, and Major Edwin H. Walker IV (USMC) (ret.) of the Maywood Bataan Day Organization, likewise paid tribute to their fellow veterans’ heroism and courage during World War II.

Ms. Angeles Carandang, chairperson of NaFFAA – Illinois Chapter delivering the Invocation during the program

The events, which were participated in by World War II veterans and survivors of the infamous Bataan “Death March”, paid tribute to thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who, despite overwhelming odds, displayed extraordinary gallantry and courage beyond the call of duty in defending Bataan and Corregidor against the invading Imperial Japanese forces in 1942.

After the event, the participants and the public were served Filipinos foods and refreshments.