Bataan Day milestone celebration in Chicago

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. HerreraLim, 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. DulayPactol, 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 FilAm 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.