THE VETERANS: The Tale of my Two Lolos/Grandpas. They were soldiers. Both of my Lolos/grandparents served in the World War II under the American Army against Japan. Both had two different stories of the war. But both served and they served well. My paternal grandfather Mayor Adriano Lugod Dela Cruz as he is known and addressed to our town and many but simply, "Lolo Adring" to us his grandchildren was a Captain in the Philippine Constabulary. Yes, he was a amongst many Filipinos who represented  the American Army. One of the manu who partook in World War II.   But what's more remarkable was during the War, Lolo Adring being the kindhearted person he was, rescued and saved a Japanese soldier who has shot, kept him at the barn and healed him until his well. He then returned the army to his Japanese camp, risked his own life of being killed, but he did it anyway.  Years later after the World War II scars healed and the war quieted down, that Japanese soldier returned to the Philippines searching for a certain "A. Dela Cruz." Hence, the soldier that saved his life. That soldier soon became the Mayor of a small-town in Gonohe, Japan. Ironically, my Lolo Adring also became the Mayor of our hometown for more than twenty five years. That Soldier was Mayor Yoshio Kawasaki and now, the Japanese sister town of my hometown in the Philippines. Even after Lolo Adring and Mayor Kawasaki passed, our ties remained. We exchanged students. We are now friends even with his grandchildren and we hang out even here in America and moreso in Japan.  My Lolo Adring was everyone's father, brother, grandfather and friend. He taught us to not be drowned in his political power but instead blend in and be one with the crowd. Eat what poor eats; put our feet on the ground when with the rich and just be on their level. But above all, help in as much and as possible we can in any given circumstance. He always told us we represented him. We are a reflection of him. We have to take care of that name and legacy. It's never about the wealth nor the power but the humility and the kind service and dignity that mattered in life. That's the wisdom of a true blue KIND politician.    My maternal grandfather, Private First Class Lorenzo Fajardo Larida (by the way, he is so humble and low key that he never claimed his rank nor wanted to be label as such. I found out when at eight years old that he was from the US Army because he doesn't want to boast) or as fondly called him, " Lolo Inzo/Apong Inzo in Ilocano." He came from a small town in La Union who migrated to the North and planted rice fields. He took pride in himself as an honest and hardworking  farmer. But even more so, a loving husband, a doting father, and to me, an inspiring grandfather. But above all, a true servant of God.  Couple years back, with my Mama Belen, we watched a documentary about World War II and the Discovery Channel featured a story about "The Fall of Bataan" and "The Death March." Bataan was a town that the American Army occupied but Japanese invaded and took over. They made the American soldiers including the Filipino Guerillas (where my Lolo was a part of) who we call now, "POW" or "Prisoners of War." The Death March or in Japanese " Batān Shi no Kōshin," was the imperial transfer of 128 kilometers (about 80 miles) walk of 15,000 American Army with the 60,000 Filipino Soldiers by the Japanese Soldier from Corregidor, Bataan all the way to Capaz, Tarlac in the North of what was known as Camp O'Donnel. It was said that close to 1,000 Americans and 10,000 Filipinos death toll occurrd during this rigorous and painstaking march. Not only did my Lolo Inzo fought for the American Army. He joined them in many of their struggles.  My maternal grandfather was one of the many soldiers and prisoners of war who endured and survived this Death March. Yet, he lived. And he lived enough to tell this story. From a humble and poor farmer, he was reluctant to even get his benefits as an American soldier. Until later in life when his 8 children convinced him persistently   that his benefits will helped them go to college, that was when he decided. Even then, he divided the earnings he got from his agricultural harvests and the small amount he got from serving the US Army into two: half would go to his children, and half would go to GOD, the church and His people. These made my Lola Ikang (my grandmother) furious. But my Lolo Inzo was stern on his faith in God. That was his way of thanking God for everything by sharing half of what he have to those who needed it. I've spent many summers reading the bible (must have read it 1,000 times now) in Ilocano during our nightly devotions as Lolo Inzo made me. During Harvest time, we would have an assembly line (just like when disaster strikes) where we would have bags of rice with canned goods and little loot bags of biscuits, cookies and candies (I was always on the candy assembly line) which we gave out separately to adults and children after the Sunday Service Mass at the Murong United Methodist Church. I am trying to be God's servant to be just half as great as my Lolo Inzo. I am nothing compared to his service to God. The things I do now are small acts compared to his giant heart. And yet, I am grateful to be influenced by such true and faithful servant of God. One that will inspire me and my family to be more of service and share what we have to the less fortunate. It's Veterans Day today and I am reminded of the heroic acts of valor of the extraordinary soldiers of my life. Yes, both of my grandpas served the United States Army. They were part of written history. They were VETERANS in every sense and essence of the word.  But to me, they were VETERANS with a HEART because they went above and beyond their duties as soldiers. I missed them both. So happy VETERANS day Lolo Adring and Lolo Inzo! Here are my tightest hugs and my PROUDEST salute delivered to both of you in heaven.  

posted by pinay freestyle @ 9:45 AM

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