Filipino-American veterans and supporters will meet with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono on Saturday to discuss ways to enhance public awareness about the contributions of Filipino soldiers during World War II.

Retired Army Col. Ben Acohido, a Vietnam War veteran and Hawaii regional coordinator for the nonprofit Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, said the meeting will be an orientation briefing on the past accomplishments of Filipino- Americans in World War II to rally support.

Hirono’s office said the meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Oahu Veterans Center at 1298 Kukila St. Besides bills establishing eligibility of Filipino soldiers for the Congressional Gold Medal, the discussion will include information on the recent White House announcement on reunification for family members of Filipino World War II veterans, and the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

"One of the purposes of the meeting," said Acohido, who served for 10 years on active duty and another 27 in the National Guard and Army Reserve, is discussing the need for an accurate census of veterans who are still alive.

"We know of only about 12," Acohido said. "We need to find if there are more out there."

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, son of a World War II veteran, said, "We cannot close this dark chapter in our nation’s history without recognizing the sacrifices and contributions made by Filipino soldiers in winning the war. They have a story to tell. And we must keep their story alive for the next generation and generations to come."

The bill was offered in both houses of Congress on June 15 and was sponsored by all four members of Hawaii’s delegation.

Congressional hearings are pending for the Senate version of the medal bill, where the measure has been referred to the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Hirono’s office said the bill must have at least 67 senators who support it before the Senate Committee will hear it. The current Filipino medal bill has the sponsorship of seven senators.

In the U.S. House a companion measure will be heard by the Financial Services and Administration committees.

Domingo Los Banos, a retired Pearl City educator and member of the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, said President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941 issued a military order placing the Philippine army, Philippine Scouts and police under U.S. command. A year later about 800 volunteers, including 300 from Hawaii, from the 1st and 2nd Philippine Infantry Regiments were sent to the Philippines to serve under U.S. Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

The proposed Filipino-American veterans recognition medal law would recognize the efforts of the more than 260,000 who volunteered to fight alongside U.S. troops in the Pacific.

Following the victory by U.S. and Allied forces in the Philippines in October 1945, Congress stripped Filipino soldiers of their rightful benefits. Although they fought and died under the American flag, their status as veterans changed when the Rescission Acts of 1946 systematically denied them recognition for their efforts.

In 2007 veterans residing in the Philippines got a lump sum payment of $9,000. Veterans in the U.S received $15,000.

There are about 18,000 Filipino veterans, mostly in their late 80s and 90s, now living in the U.S. and the Philippines.

The Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom and Presidential Citizens Medal are the highest civilian awards bestowed by the United States.

Filipino veterans served in the U.S. Army between July 26, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, as members of the Philippine Scouts, Philippine Commonwealth Army, Recognized Guerrillas, New Philippine Scouts, 1st Filipino Regiment, 2nd Filipino Infantry Battalion and 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.

The actual gold medal would be given to the Smithsonian Institution. It would authorize the U.S. Treasury to make bronze duplicates of the medal. Only one replica bronze medal will be produced by the U.S. Mint and could be purchased by a veteran or surviving family member.

For additional information or to register as a Filipino World War II veteran, contact retired Army Col. Ben Acohido at vinusto@outlook.com.