Old Soldiers Never Die

The days just passed need some commenting and reflection.  I did not hear nor read anything about May 6 – formerly celebrated as the day that the island fortress of Corregidor fell to the Japanese invaders during World War Two, not World War Eleven as a public official was maritessed to have said. We remembered last April 9 as the Fall of Bataan Day and the whole week that contained it was aptly commemorated as Veterans Week. 

Come to think of it, there should be no more than a handful of survivors of the Second World War because that war began in December 1941, meaning that soldiers who were 21 at the beginning of the war must have been born in 1920 to be recruited into the army at that time. And so to have to attend this year’s ceremonies, World War II veterans would be at least 106 years old today.  I have serious doubts that there could be more than 20 all over the Philippines who fought in World War II and listen to the President speak about their heroism and valor.  Even if alive, they would be most probably bed ridden in their homes.  Even the indestructible Juan Ponce Enrile crumbled and  belonged to eternity some many months ago.  His age is debated to be 100 to 103, a testament to the brilliance of lawyers to whom even the date of birth is subject to debate and presumption.

And before I wrap up this topic, let me just share information given to me by the enigmatic Dr. Jesus Lava who was a leftist advocating revolution but who was applying for veteran’s pension for himself and his comrades under the laws for veterans’ benefits. Those were the years 1998 to 2001 when I was the Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.  He confided to me that his group was responsible for the assassination of First Lady Aurora Quezon. And he apologized to Nini Quezon for the dastardly act. Bye for now, and will continue in next column.