Fil Am Author Speaks of Mother’s Bravery At American Defenders of Bataan And Corregidor

Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino, New Jersey-based award-winning journalist and author of the history memoir Every Ounce of Courage: A Daughter's Reflections On Her Mother's Bravery.

Filipina American author Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino, award-winning journalist, based in Mount Olive, New Jersey, recently spoke at the 15th annual conference of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society held in Arlington, Virginia. Ms. Quirino was one of the first Filipinas to speak at the conference, which was attended by military veterans and descendants of American veterans who fought in the Philippines during WWII. She presented the story of her late mother Lourdes “Lulu” Reyes, Medal of Freedom recipient.

Ms. Besa-Quirino  recently penned her mother’s story of bravery in a  history memoir Every Ounce of Courage: A Daughter’s Reflections On Her Mother’s Bravery.

During the merciless Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Lulu Reyes embarked unflinchingly on dangerous missions to bring aid, food, and secretly brought medicines that meant the difference between life and death to countless American and Filipino prisoners of war, at great peril to her own life. In 1947, President Harry Truman awarded Lourdes “Lulu” Reyes two Medals of Freedom becoming one of the first Filipino women and civilians to be honored for her valiant efforts.

In September 1947, Lourdes "Lulu" Reyes received the Medal of Freedom from President Harry Truman in ceremonies attended by Major General George Moore, Commander of the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays, and Archbishop J. O'Dougherty, Bishop of Manila (photo provided by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines).

In her mother’s story, Elizabeth shared that she discovered a complex life full of joy, sorrow, selflessness, and survival, and learned precious lessons about how the timeless bonds of family, the strength of faith and the power of an indomitable will can provide solace and sense in a world of uncertainty.

Elizabeth Ann was born in the Philippines and raised in Tarlac, a province of Luzon that saw significant hardship during the Japanese occupation of WWII. Her writing is inspired by stories of her mother’s courage and heroism in the face of insurmountable obstacles.

The American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society is dedicated to promoting education about the POW experience in the Pacific during WWII and supporting programs of reconciliation. In addition to annual conventions, the ADBC Memorial Society offers scholarships to descendants of POWs, provides grants for projects that educate and involve people of all ages in activities that bring meaning to this history, sponsor Bataan Memorial Marches, and support the building of monuments to honor the American POWs in Japan.

The American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society are American military veterans and descendants of war veterans who fought in the Philippines during WWII.