THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 11, 1995 TAG: 9511110528
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
Two groups of World War II veterans are refusing to march in a Veterans Day parade today because a Filipino-American veterans organization has been given permission to carry the Philippine flag.
The dispute, apparently generated by one member of the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations, has stirred emotions between the groups not seen in the 50 years since World War II ended.
Arthur W. Pearsall, president of the American Veterans, said his group would refuse to participate in today's parade, scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue.
The parade, which culminates with a memorial service near the Pavilion at 11:30 a.m., is to include dozens of civilian and military marching units, bands and floats.
``We're just not going to march,'' said Pearsall, a former submariner who joined the Navy at the age of 16, the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese.
``When they (the Council of Veterans Organizations) get their act together and march under the American flag, then we'll be back,'' he said.
Pearsall also has persuaded the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association not to march.
Dick Erickson, president of that group, said Friday the association's 15 to 30 members will stay away from the parade.
``This is a parade for American veterans,'' Erickson said. ``At the time the Filipino organization was part of the U.S. they fought under the American flag. They should march under the American flag.''
The issue surfaced two weeks ago at a meeting of the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations when Dr. Hubert I. Ramos, president of the Filipino-American Veterans of Hampton Roads, asked the council for permission to carry his country's flag in the parade.
Except for Pearsall's vote, there was unanimous agreement that Ramos' group would be allowed to do so, said Wallace Timmons, vice president of the council.
``They asked if they would be allowed to do so and it was . . . felt by many that since they have long supported the parade and we were allies in war time, that we allow them to do so, provided the American flag was properly respected,'' Timmons said.
Ramos was out of town Friday, but the vice president of the Filipino-American group, Romeo N. San Antonio of Norfolk, said the request to carry the flag was made because it was the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
``I thought maybe we ought to recognize that sacrifice by just flying the flag,'' he said. ``I don't see the problem.''
San Antonio, a retired Navy chief petty officer with 22 years of service, said he was surprised by the controversy.
``I feel the Filipino veterans sacrificed also for their freedom,'' said San Antonio, whose father died in Bataan helping the Americans.
``I will fly both flags (in the parade) and show honor to both.''
Fay Hoover, executive director of the veterans council, faulted Pearsall for making the Philippine flag an issue at all.
``His was the only dissenting vote, and he got the Pearl Harbor survivors to do it, too. It is horrible and made me absolutely ill to think that an American veteran can assume the posture he has.''
She is puzzled at why the issue was raised, especially since the Filipino-American veterans have carried their flag in the parade before.
``They've always dipped their flag. I don't know why they even asked (for permission),'' she said. ``I'm sorry to mouth off, but this really bothers me.''
Pearsall acknowledged he was practically alone in the dispute. But he hopes similar organizations will join him.
``There are several other organizations sending a strong letter of protest to the Hampton Roads council,'' he said.
He said the Filipino community is ``pushing and pushing and pushing and nobody will stand up against them. I am tired of them pushing and taking over and taking more and more of our American heritage and putting it to their own use,'' he said.
San Antonio said he believes Pearsall is the only one upset about the flag issue.
``During Columbus Day they fly the Italian flag around here,'' he said. ``I don't understand what is the concern. I don't think this is a big sin.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color photo]
BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot
A half-century after the guns of World War II fell silent around the
world, the National Cemetery in Hampton offers mute testimony to the
sacrifices of those who gave their lives in military service.
Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military.
A list of holiday closings is on Page B5.
[Color photos]
Arthur W. Pearsall, a former submariner, is president of the
American Veterans.
Romeo N. San Antonio is vice president of the Filipino-American
Veterans of Hampton Roads.
by CNB