Let me introduce you to my Dad, Douglas MacArthur Quejas Berbano. He was named after General Douglas MacArthur during WWII when the Philippines fought as an ally with the United States military. My grandmother was extremely grateful to General MacArthur, who at the time, played an instrumental role in liberating the Phillipines from Imperial Japan. My Dad was the sixth of seven children. His father, a provincial leader in the Philippine guerilla army, was captured and beheaded. After his death, my pregnant grandmother hid in the mountains with six children in tow.

Prior to WWII, my Dad was born into a working class family.  My grandparents were land owners and led a simple life. My Dad does not remember this time as he was just an infant. However, when they lost everything after WWII, he remembers my grandmother emphasizing to never take anything for granted because it could all vanish at any moment. He worked hard as a child and throughout his young adult life to provide for his mother and his siblings. And to this day, his siblings regard him as the most upstanding member of the family.

My Dad found his way to the United States through the United States Navy. My Aunt Nida helped him send in an application every day for a month to join the US Navy. Three years later, he was awarded an opportunity to serve. During this time, most Filipinos in the Navy were restricted to menial jobs like cooks, stewards and personal aides to officers.

Dad served as a steward on the USS Fletcher (Destroyer class) from 1964 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. He was a favored cook to the commanders and also served as ammunition loader and trainer for both the 5 inch artillery cannon and 30mm gun. He vividly remembers supporting bombardment activities off the coast of Saigon.