Long Journey to Justice

At Issue: The recent conveyance of the Purple Heart to a native son who risked his life alongside regular Marines.

Our View: The award came 55 years later, indeed, illustrating the long journey to justice for a local veteran.

The recipient of the Purple Heart, former Marine Corporal Cristino Dela Cruz, sat patiently in his wheel chair beaming occasional smiles, but reduced to tears as the medal was placed on his suit.

His fellow local Marines, most of whom are in their twilight years, hid welling tears in their eyes from shades as they watch a fellow comrade receive the Purple Heart. Former Marine Corporal Dela Cruz was wounded twice while on a mission with regular Marines bringing snipers out of caves between Saipan and the Northern Islands.

It was a dangerously risky assignment given that fate for both Marine and Marine Scouts were in harms way as they jointly flush out nervous snipers from caves. An ambush would instantly put either soldier or both to their final fate. Mr. Dela Cruz and most of his fellow local comrades survived them all.

For those who have never seen war in battle fields and dense jungles, it’s hard understanding what our men in uniform or Marine Scouts had to endure in the name of freedom. Only those who have fought wars know with an ultra sense of appreciation the true definition of freedom. And each survivor (soldier) will say without blinking that it was worth fighting for.

The recognition came 55 years later, but it was worth all the delay. Our Mother Country finally gave due recognition to the ultra-sense of loyalty local Marine Scouts displayed in blind faith for the cause of freedom. Because of their gallantry, we are living in a free archipelago because of the blood shed by young soldiers along the shores and battlefields in these isles during World War II.

The freedom that we relish today came from the sacrifices risked by both men in regular uniform and local Marine Scouts. Former Marine Corporal Dela Cruz came close to meeting his fate when he was hit and wounded twice as he and fellow Marines flush-out snipers here and in caves in the Northern Islands.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Marine Corporal Dela Cruz and his comrades (US Marines and local Marine Scouts) for the freedom they have fought so hard to ensure that it descended in these isles half a century ago. Indeed, it was a long journey to justice. Let us remember them in our prayers throughout the week. Our profound sense of gratitude is also extended to our Mother Country for conveying such signal honor to Marine Corporal Dela Cruz. Si Yuus Maase`!