Bataan Day Milestone Celebration In Chicago

Press ReleaseNo. 07-12Bataan Day milestone celebration in ChicagoThe Philippine Consulate General in Chicago celebrated with the Filipinocommunity and the Filipino and American veterans the 70th Commemoration ofBataan Day in Chicago.Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim welcoming the guests, including the veterans and IllinoisSecretary of State Jesse WhiteIn his remarks, Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim said: “To all ourguests in this historic gathering, by your presence today you share a commonand enduring bond with the brave and gallant Filipino and American soldiers inBataan. Together, we shall ensure that Bataan shall be forever remembered. Weshall honor the memories of Brave sacrifices in Bataan by remaining vigilant inthe defense of freedom and consciously responsible in its exercise.”Illinoi’s Attorney General Lisa Madigan said that “it is her privilege torecognize the 70th Commemoration of Bataan Day.” She further expressed that“we are forever grateful and indebted for their incredible sacrifice to ensure thetriumph of liberty and democracy over tyranny and injustice. Many of ourveterans have now passed on. But we will always honor their memories on thisimportant day. And we can never thank them enough.”

Consul General Herrera-Lim with Illinois Attorney General Lisa MadiganIllinois Secretary of State Jesse White extended his “warmest welcome asthe veterans gather in observance of the 70 th Commemoration of Bataan Day.This event offers the perfect opportunity to join family and friends in payingtribute to the courageous veterans and survivors of the infamous Bataan “DeathMarch.” The bravery and valor of so many soldiers who fought to defend Bataanand Corregidor will never be forgotten.”Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White after the latterdelivered his message

Among the estimated two hundred (200) guests who attended the eventwere: the Filipino and American World War II veterans and their relatives,American Board Members of the Maywood Bataan Day organization, FilipinoAmerican veterans of Post 509, Filipino American Judge Israel Desierto (CircuitCourt of Cook County, Illinois), Filipino American Judge-elect Jessica O’Brien(Judicial Circuit of the Cook County, Illinois), Mr. Kenneth Clarke (President andCEO Of Pritzker Military Library, Chicago) and Director Nancy Houghton, Ms.Rebecca Sanchez (Senior Advisor to the Illinois Governor on Diplomatic Affairsand Business Management), Director William Schmutz (Office of the Mayor, Cityof Chicago), Director Marie Ann Limjoco (Office of U.S. Representative JanSchakowsky), Director Eric Salcedo and Ms. Nettie Lasko of the AttorneyGeneral’s Office, Mr. Gerard Moorer (Constituent Services Representative ofU.S. Representative Danny K. Davis), Mr. James Yoo (Congressional Aide toU.S. Representative Mike Quigley), Mr. Ed Ortiz of the Public Accounting FirmEC Ortiz & Co., some members of the U.S. Armed Services, Filipino Americanofficers 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 andSecretary of State Jesse White awarded the Philippine Liberation Medals and Certificates towife and daughter of Mr. Sidney AdelsonConsul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim, assisted by Mrs. Fidelis C. HerreraLim, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jesse Whitepresented the Philippine Liberation Medals (Philippine Independence Medal,Philippine Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II VictoryMedal, and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge) and Certificatesto 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 ofState Jesse White, Judge-elect Jessica O’Brien with the veterans and guestsMr. Sidney Adelson (born in and resident of Chicago) assisted in thePhilippine Campaign from 1944 to 1945 that liberated the Philippines from enemyforces. 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 otherhand, was a commissioned Philippine Army nurse attached to a United StatesArmy Hospital before and during the War. She was born in Aringay, La Union,Philippines, and held the rank of 3rd Lieutenant. “For meritorious achievement inconnection with military operations against the enemy in the Southwest Pacificarea from 08 December 1941 to February 1945”, Ms. Dulay-Pactol received theBronze Star Medal from the United States Government.Mrs. Cleopatra Dulay-Pactol

Attorney General Lisa Madigan also presented individual letters ofrecognition to 146 Filipino veterans and 9 American veterans, including theMaywood Bataan Day Organization. In her letter, Attorney General Madiganstated that “it is my honor and privilege to thank you for your service and valor indefense 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 weare so blessed with today. You and your fellow service members earned theright to be called “The Greatest Generation. The United States, the Filipinopeople, and the residents of Illinois will always honor you and the memories ofyour comrades who had made the ultimate sacrifice. We can never thank youenough. Thank you.”Consul General and Mrs. Leo M. Herrera-Lim with the veterans at the Bataan CorregidorBridgeConsul General and Mrs. Herrera-Lim were joined by the veterans,members of the Fil-Am community, Judge Israel Desierto, Director WilliamSchmutz (Chicago City Mayor’s Office’ Commission on Human RelationsAdvisory Council on Asian Affairs), Director Marie Ann Limjoco (Office ofRepresentative Jan Schakowsky), and the Consulate’s officers and staff in thefloral 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 MaywoodBataan Day Organization, likewise paid tribute to their fellow veterans’ heroismand courage during World War II.

Ms. Angeles Carandang, chairperson of NaFFAA – Illinois Chapter delivering the Invocationduring the programThe events, which were participated in by World War II veterans andsurvivors of the infamous Bataan “Death March”, paid tribute to thousands ofFilipino and American soldiers who, despite overwhelming odds, displayedextraordinary gallantry and courage beyond the call of duty in defending Bataanand Corregidor against the invading Imperial Japanese forces in 1942.After the event, the participants and the public were served Filipinos foodsand refreshments.

defense of liberty as we commemorate the 70th 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