A Note on the Fourth of July:

A Note on the Fourth of July:

The Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17,1775---From a Defeat to Victory

Today, on the Fourth of July, while the whole of the United States revel in holiday, we pause to remember a day that led to the 4th of July, the first great battle for independence, the Battle of Bunker Hill in the state of New England.

On June 17, 1775, the first battle of the American  War for Independence against England was fought in Breeds Hill in the outskirts of Boston that became to be known in American history as the Battle of Bunker Hill.

It was a defeat for the Americas but was a very costly victory for the British crown.

The first skirmishes for the American struggle was fought earlier in Lexington and Concord but the first formal battle was joined between the British Army and the American militia in Breeds Hill 235 years ago.

The Battle was later known to be the Battle of Bunker Hill because it was the original objective of the British but they were met by the American in Breeds Hill closer to Boston, thus the battle was known as such.

The British army assaulted the hill for three times and suffered more than 1,000 killed. Out of the force of more than 2,300 who attacked the hill.  The Americans lost the battle because they run out of ammunition and retreated and suffered less than 271 killed. Indeed for the British it was a costly victory.

Why must we remember the Battle of Bunker Hill?

For the spirit to fight and win the greater battle is the spirit of the fight in Bunker Hill.

This is the spirit for the war for liberty and American principle of fighting for its principle.

Like in all  world revolutions, the first battles might be lost, but in the end the war will be won by the people. The Filipinos lost their first battle in San Juan in the revolution of 1896, Cuban  Jose Marti was killled in Cuba, The Grito De Dolores in Mexico was lost to Spain, the revolution of 1905 in Russia was a failure and many others like the Battle of Bunker Hill of 1775 but it gave birth to the 4th of July that we always mark today with fireworks.

The Filipino American veterans of World War II and their survivors  were denied of that recognition and benefits so they
have   to fight a losing battle in the courts and the halls of US Congress in order to win in the end.

Their fight has been long and tortuous but as the American colonist fought for more than 150 years and a war for independence for more 18 years, we will prevail.

With the adherence to America principle and tenacity as the Battle for Bunker Hill, with that spirit the JFAV, AWARE and MHC and all its advocates are sure to gain final victory in the end.

Fight on for recognition, justice and equity!

Justice for Filipino American Veterans and their widows!

Happy 4th of July to All!