Philippines Secretary of National Defense, Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr., described his visit to Hawaii, from 4-7 April 2009, as a “symbol” of the Philippines’ desire for a continuing partnership with the United States, the country’s longest-standing military ally.
As the Guest Speaker for the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) Commemoration held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, on 6 April 2009, Secretary Teodoro paid tribute to the Filipino-American Veterans of World War II for their valor and sacrifices that enabled future generation of Filipinos and Americans to enjoy the fruits of liberty and democracy they fought valiantly for.
As the Guest Speaker for the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) Commemoration held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, on 6 April 2009, Secretary Teodoro paid tribute to the Filipino-American Veterans of World War II for their valor and sacrifices that enabled future generation of Filipinos and Americans to enjoy the fruits of liberty and democracy they fought valiantly for.
(PHOTO : Sec. Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr. and Congresswoman Monica Prieto-Teodoro, at the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the “Araw ng Kagitingan” Commemoration held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on 6 April 2009. Also in the photo are Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel Akaka, Mrs. Vivian Aiona, representing the State of Hawaii, Major General Thomas Conant, US Pacom, Fil-Am veterans, and other dignitaries.)
Addressing an audience of US and Hawaii state legislators, Filipino-American veterans, high school students and leaders of the Filipino American Community in Hawaii, Secretary Teodoro spoke of “Araw ng Kagitingan” as “a remarkable period in Philippines-US joint history of fortitude and heroism which we need to build on to further our two countries’ relations.”
He expressed the Filipino people’s gratitude to US Senator Daniel Inouye, who attended the event as Key Speaker, and Senator Daniel Akaka, for their decades-long shepherding in the legislative process the grant of additional compensation for Filipino Veterans under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
At the Town Hall Meeting held on 5 April 2009, at the Philippine Consulate General, Sec. Teodoro discussed the future of Philippine – US Relations and the bonds that linked the two countries together. He spoke of “our two countries’ common values, common ideals of freedom and democracy, and the Philippines’ role as an advocate for these values in our part of the world.”
The Filipino-American Community in Hawaii, many of them veterans and fellow province mates from Tarlac, gave Sec. Teodoro, Jr. who was accompanied by his wife, Congresswoman Monica Louise Prieto Teodoro, and son, Jaime Gilberto, their warmest reception.
Addressing an audience of US and Hawaii state legislators, Filipino-American veterans, high school students and leaders of the Filipino American Community in Hawaii, Secretary Teodoro spoke of “Araw ng Kagitingan” as “a remarkable period in Philippines-US joint history of fortitude and heroism which we need to build on to further our two countries’ relations.”
He expressed the Filipino people’s gratitude to US Senator Daniel Inouye, who attended the event as Key Speaker, and Senator Daniel Akaka, for their decades-long shepherding in the legislative process the grant of additional compensation for Filipino Veterans under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
At the Town Hall Meeting held on 5 April 2009, at the Philippine Consulate General, Sec. Teodoro discussed the future of Philippine – US Relations and the bonds that linked the two countries together. He spoke of “our two countries’ common values, common ideals of freedom and democracy, and the Philippines’ role as an advocate for these values in our part of the world.”
The Filipino-American Community in Hawaii, many of them veterans and fellow province mates from Tarlac, gave Sec. Teodoro, Jr. who was accompanied by his wife, Congresswoman Monica Louise Prieto Teodoro, and son, Jaime Gilberto, their warmest reception.
(PHOTO: Sec. Teodoro, talking with Fil-Am WW II veterans at the Town Hall Meeting at the Philippine Consulate.)
END
10 April 2009
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10 April 2009
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