How many U.S. Filipino WWII veterans are there?
Based on recent estimates of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (20,000) and the Philippine Government (18,155), there are an estimated 6,000 Filipino WW2 veterans living in the United States and 12,000 in the Philippines in the year 2007. At a 15% yearly mortality rate, we estimate only 15,000 are living in February 2009. What are the relevant categories of Filipino veterans? Members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Recognized Guerrillas, and New Scouts who have war related injuries (service connected) and those without war related (non-service) illnesses. What do they want? Official recognition of their honorable U.S. military service during World War II and the eligibility to receive full veterans benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs such as health care at VA hospitals, outpatient clinics and nursing homes in the U.S. including a clinic in Manila and non-service disability pension (as a minimum: $300 monthly in the Philippines). $300 is average monthly differenc
