OT: Philippine Scouts National Convention
I had the privilege of attending the Philippine Scout Historical Society national convention in Tacoma WA, this past weekend. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life.
The Philippine Scouts were an integral part of the U.S. Army in the Philippines from just after the Spanish-American War to their dissolution in 1948. They were considered some of the best and toughest soldiers in the U.S. Army. They were prominent in the defense of Bataan and were often used as "firefighters" when the going got tough. Upon surrender, they were given a very hard time by the Japanese on the Death March and in prison camp. Upon release by the Japanese with other Philippine soldiers in late-1942, a large number promptly joined the guerrilla movement.
Among the units were the 45th and 57th Infantry, 26th Cavalry, 91st and 92nd Coast Artillery, 23rd and 24th Field Artillery, 12 QM and other units. The 26th Cavalry launshed one of the last horse-mounted attacks in January, 1942.
Unfortunately, as with other WWII veterans, the ranks of the Philippine Scouts are rapidly thinning. There were only 7 or 8 able to attend, although many relatives and descendents attended in their place.
1. Here is the display I laid out. The 45th, 57th and 26th were equipped with M1s at the start of war; the Philippine National Army with mostly M1917s and M1903s:
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2. The gentleman in the picture is Dan Figuracion, a former member of E Troop of the 26th Cavalry. Figuracion is still as sharp as a tack at 90 years old and I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time talking with him. He has a great sense of humor and can still do the manual of arms, too!
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3. Me with my good friend Victor Verano, who is a Philippine Scouts re-enactor and has a first-class website and forum on the Philippine Scouts, too.
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4. Unidentified speaker participating in panel on curing terminal insomnia patients! (Note empty chairs!) :D
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5. Victor chatting with Col. Edwin Ramsey of 26th Cavalry. Col. Ramsey led the cavalry charge of Jan., 1942. After the surrender, he escaped and joined the guerrillas.
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6. Picture taken at the banquet on Sat. night honoring those original Philippine Scouts who came. As you can see, not many left.
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7. Trooper Dan chatting with some very attentive WWII and P.S. re-enactors. Of course, they may have been especially attentive because HE had the .45!! :D (Gentleman in campaign hat is Rudy, who does a re-enactment of the 26th Cavalry, complete with horse. Rudy had a dad and at least one uncle in the 26th Cavalry.
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