US President Barrack Obama just signed the billion dollar Stimulus Bill aimed to jump start the ailing US economy and Filipino World War II Veterans have all the reason to celebrate. The Stimulus bill includes the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which authorizes the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. The Equity Compensation Fund, which is estimated to cost around $198 million authorizes the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make a one-time payment to all eligible Filipino veterans who served in the Philippines during World War II. Filipino veterans residing in the US would receive a lump sum payment of $15,000 and non-US citizens or residents would receive $9,000 each.
I am happy that our veterans are getting the benefits they long deserve. I hope other Filipinos will help them on what to do next with the compensation and no one will take advantage of them. Because what's more valuable to our veterans is the unconditional honor, respect and recognition we can give them whether they are a thousand dollars richer or not.
Do you know any Filipino war veteran? What do you think is the biggest challenge they face and how can we help solve it?
(Image from Asian Journal)
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