RP awards Liberation Campaign Medal to US war veteran

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has returned the favor to a US war veteran who took part in liberating the country from Japanese forces by awarding him the Philippine Liberation Campaign Medal. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine Ambassador to US Willy Gaa gave the medal to US veteran William Burhans, who participated in US military operations that led to the liberation of the Philippines during World War II. An article in the DFA website said the awarding was held in a simple ceremony last March 5 at the office of U.S. Representative Todd Platts (R-19th PA) at Capitol Hill. Earlier this year, the US government recognized the bravery of Filipino war veterans by awarding a lump sum of $15,000 for veterans based in the US and $9,000 for those in the Philippines. Platts said were it not for the bravery and sacrifice of Filipino and American soldiers during World War II, "we would not have reached this level of relations between the United States and the Philippines." Burhans’ daughter and friends witnessed the awarding, the DFA said. Meanwhile, Gaa personally conveyed to US Senator Daniel Inouye the gratitude and appreciation of the Philippine government for his staunch and unwavering support for the cause of the Filipino veterans. "During the meeting, Ambassador Gaa handed to Senator Inouye letters of thanks from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, and Senator Richard Gordon; a Senate Resolution issued by the Philippine Senate; and a Certificate of Appreciation awarded by the Embassy of the Philippines," the DFA said. The DFA said the Philippine government recognizes the crucial role Senator Inouye played in the victory of the Filipino veterans’ campaign to achieve recognition and benefits from the U.S. government for their military service in World War II. Also, the meeting provided Gaa the opportunity to brief the Senator on the latest developments in the Philippines and to discuss issues of mutual interest. - GMANews.TV