Filipino WWII Veterans Seek Pensions From U.S. Government
SAN FRANCISCO - MAY 4: Sixto Gagni holds an instant reward coupon that he will use at a northern California casino May 4, 2005 in San Francisco. Many veterans go to the Casinos and take back free rebates ranging from $10 to $15 to use on rent. They spend two dollars on bus fare, hang around the casino and collect their free rebate which is intended to be incentive gambling money given to them by the casino upon arrival. Mr. Gagne fought the Japanese during WWII as a guerrilla soldier. He was among the Filipino soldiers who were granted citizenship through naturalization in the early 1990's by virtue of his status as a WWII veteran. He is not eligible for pension so he lives off $735 on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To save money on rent, he shares a converted one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the Tenderloin with three others, two of whom are Filipino WWII veterans. He and other Filipino WWII veterans are claiming full veterans benefits promised in President Roosevelt's Presidential Decree at the beginning for the war but later reneged by the U.S. Congress with the Rescission Act of 1946. He is alone in the United States and with only his SSI as a means of income he lacks the funds to petition his wife for citizenship. Like most Filipino WWII veterans, he is old and sickly. He recently recovered from a stroke and was left with a $1000 ambulance bill not covered by Medicare, which he is unable to pay. (Photo by Marvi Lacar/Getty Images)
PURCHASE A LICENSE
How can I use this image?
kr 4,000.00
NOK
DETAILS
Restrictions:
Contact your local office for all commercial or promotional uses.
Credit:
Editorial #:
53080561
Collection:
Getty Images News
Date created:
May 04, 2005
Upload date:
License type:
Release info:
Not released. More information
Source:
Getty Images North America
Object name:
53068037ML015_FilVets