My Lolo Daddy, The WWII Veteran
Last week, my Lolo Daddy arrived at our home with my aunt, two cousins, and nephew from Barcelona, Sorsogon. Barcelona is where he lives. And he came because he needed to take care of the payment that is being given to World War II veterans. He and my grandmother both rendered services during that time but my Lola Mommy has already passed away last year.
If you were a Filipino veteran, you will be receiving $9000. If you were a US citizen, you will be receiving $15000. Now that is a good amount of money. And to some of those veterans who are still alive today, they can use that money to secure their families. A lot of these World War II veterans still live a very hard life. Some may even use that money for medicines.
I asked my aunt why they still had my Lolo Daddy come. He is already 95 years old. Although he is still strong and has a very sharp mind at that age, I find it better if he stayed in his home in Barcelona. He usually feels bored when he stays here with us because there is not much to do. In Barcelona, he takes care of the house, checks the rice mill, waits for the jeepneys to bring in their boundary, and manage the small store that had belonged to my grandmother. Anyway, my aunt said that the office where the payments are processed does not allow representatives. So she told me that a lot of veterans were there with their families. Some came in wheelchairs and some with oxygen tanks. They really had to wait a long time to get the said payment and yet only a few were approved.
My Lolo Daddy is one of those who has been denied. Although he has documents (which are really, really old), it seems like he was not approved. I personally have read the documents and there were letters to him from his leaders. According to the letters, Lolo Daddy served as captain. Now I did not know that.
I find it funny that all these World War II veterans have to wait a real long time to get their payments and only a few will be receiving the amount. My Lolo Daddy and Lola Mommy are lucky because they had lived a better life compared to those who had to make do with houses that could fall down anytime. Some do not even have much to their name. This is perhaps the reason why Lolo Daddy and his children did not bother to further inquire about how they can get the payment. But I am wishing that they would give every living WWII veteran the payment that they have been promised. At their age, they really need it a lot.
Image from MSN Encarta
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hi, im an elected public official in barcelona, sorsogon. i wonder if i could get your lolo daddy’s name. i’m just curious, considering that he’s from barcelona. no more, no less. thanks. have a good day!
Hi Nonoy,
Thank you for dropping by. My lolo’s name is Jose. When I go visit them in Barcelona, I’ll tell them about you. Thanks again.
hi! i actually have a history class wherein we are obliged to tell a story about a veteran during the
thanks!
WWII. would it be possible for you to even just briefly share to us your grandfather’s experiences?
it would really be of great help.
My Dad also fought (as a pilot in the US Marines) in the Philippines in World War II. The planes he flew were called SBD’s or silent but deadly? I believe he flew bomber planes. He never shared much of his stories with me but I remember a few scant details. My brother knows more than I do. I have some photos of him when he was younger and in uniform. He eventually became a Lt. Col. and then retired after being in the reserves for a while where he flew Corsairs and other planes. He really wanted to fly jets but I don’t know if he ever did. He died at age 66 in 1986 of a heart attack and I miss him very much. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross in the war and other medals. He didn’t want to talk about the war that much but he liked to watch movies about it or read a few books on the subject. He liked having dinner at the local air base with his family and that included me, of course.
Hi Yvonne,
Your father was a brave man and definitely deserves that recognition. He sure is proud knowing that you are proud of him and what he did.