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 70

th

Commemoration of

Bataan Day in Chicago.

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 70

th

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 Leo M. Herrera-Lim welcoming the guests, including the veterans and Illinois

Secretary of State Jesse White

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 Leo M. Herrera-Lim, assisted by Mrs. Fidelis C. Herrera-

Lim, 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. Dulay-

Pactol, both 94 years old.

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

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 3

rd

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.

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

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. 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 Fil-

Am 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.

Consul General and Mrs. Leo M. Herrera-Lim with the veterans at the Bataan Corregidor

Bridge

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.

Ms. Angeles Carandang, chairperson of NaFFAA – Illinois Chapter delivering the Invocation

during the program