Received via email on 9/9/2012…
Dear Colonel McMahon,
In behalf of Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim and the other officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, I would like to extend our warm congratulations to you and the other officers and members of the Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) and the Mayor and the other officers and Trustees of the Village of Maywood for successfully putting up and hosting this afternoon a clearly successful and well-organized 70th Platinum Memorial Service, Maywood Bataan Day 2012 at the Veterans Memorial Park, Maywood Park, Village of Maywood, Illinois.
As I was correctly quoted by Ms. Vikki Ortiz Healy (Filipino American reporter) in her 09 September 2012 news article in the Chicago Tribune (page 9), entitled “Town keeps alive memory of 1942 Bataan Death March,” regarding the involvement and participation of the Filipino American community on the celebration of “Bataan Day” in the Village of Maywood: “We are very much involved so that the bravery, heroism, gallantry and sacrifice of these American and Filipino soldiers during the war will always be remembered.”
As to the twin celebrations in April and September every year of “Bataan Day” in the City of Chicago and the Village of Maywood, I stated and was quoted further that: “One is the continuation of the other. They are linked together by bravery.”
Please extend also our sincere thanks and appreciation to Major Edwin H. Walker IV (ret.) and the Board Members of your Organization (MBDO) taking care of the interest and welfare of Filipino and American World War II Veterans. Major Walker did a wonderful job in emceeing the program.
God bless you always and your Organization and the Village of Maywood as you all continue in your efforts of ensuring that the bravery, heroic deeds and sacrifice of Filipino and American veterans will always be in the public consciousness.
I’ll make sure that I see you next year in the Philippines after my last participation on the yearly commemoration of “Bataan Day” in the City of Chicago in April next year.
It was an indeed an honor and distinct privilege working side-by-side with our American friends like you and the rest of the MBDO leadership in programs and activities that advance the interest and welfare of the Filipinos and Americans.
I have attached in this e-mail a copy of my speech in today’s event. [Ed. – See speech in following post]
Maraming, maraming salamat at Mabuhay! (Thank you so much and Long Life!)
Very truly yours,
Orontes V. Castro
Deputy Consul General
Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines