The Horse Soldier: A Children’s Book on World War II
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Alice and The Horse Soldier by Joni Ramos, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 15" (Photo by Joni Ramos)
Published by Carayan Press in San Francisco, the book is inspired by the true story of Lieutenant Edwin Price Ramsey, who led the last horse-mounted cavalry charge in U.S. military history during World War II. More significantly, it is the story of Gillis’s grandparents, Juan and Cipriana Benitez, and her mother, Alice Benitez, who risked their lives by sheltering Lt. Ramsey in their home in San Carlos, Pangasinan, during the Japanese occupation.
Gillis grew up hearing her mother’s wartime recollections—stories of fear, bravery, and quiet resistance—in the Philippines. For years, she hesitated to turn those stories into a children’s book, unsure whether war was a theme young readers could handle. But with the encouragement of writer and educator Dr. Rey E. dela Cruz, her friend who eventually became the book’s content editor, she finally decided to write the story, realizing its value not just to her family but also to future generations. “Children can understand difficult topics when told with care,” Gillis says. “If we don’t preserve these stories, they risk being forgotten.”
The story is not just a personal one—it carries international significance. Gillis’s grandfather, Col. Juan A. Benitez, who plays a key role in the narrative, was honored on a limited-edition Philippine Post Office stamp designed by Dominic Agsaway and issued in November 2024 for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest U.S. civilian award, alongside the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His wartime contributions had a profound impact on the world, leaving a lasting legacy.
The Philippine Post Office issued a limited-edition stamp on Col. Julian A. Benitez in November 2024 to mark his distinction as a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal (Photo by Dominic Agsaway)
The Horse Soldier is deeply rooted in facts. Characters are based on Gillis’s family and Lt. Ramsey himself, whose autobiography and personal interview with Gillis served as key references. Family memories also played a vital role in shaping the tone and texture of the book. Gillis reflects, “Writing it brought me back to my childhood. I could hear my grandparents’ voices. Their personalities naturally shaped the characters.”
Gillis infused the book with Filipino terms, food, and customs, helping ground the story in its cultural context. A glossary at the back helps readers follow along while offering them a glimpse into Philippine life during wartime.
To ensure the story was suitable for its target audience, Gillis worked with a group of young beta readers. Their feedback helped her strike the right balance between truth and age-appropriate storytelling. “The kids guided me,” Gillis remembers. “They helped me keep the story honest without making it too heavy.” Moreover, illustrator Norman Belen and cover and layout designer Mary Ann Manuel played key roles in creating a visually engaging and emotionally resonant experience for children.
Wayne Rizalino is proud of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to his great-great-grandfather, Col. Julian A. Benitez (Photo by Sandie Oreta Gillis)
The book has touched readers far beyond the Philippines. Connie Estades, the executive director of the San Juan Community Library in San Juan, Puerto Rico, wrote: “The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret is a heartfelt look at war and its effect on a young child and her family. The book is especially important because it is a true story that records the author’s personal account of her mother’s and family’s experiences in the Philippines during World War II. The book has very memorable illustrations and could be read by an eight-year-old and up. As an avid reader and rider, I loved the book for showing young readers that animals, too, have served as soldiers—in this case, a horse.”
Retired Major General Antonio Taguba, a prominent figure in the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, wrote that the book is one of the many untold stories about World War II in the Philippines. He noted that the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal has helped unlock the forgotten history of Filipinos who fought in the war. Moreover, he emphasized the significance of continuing to seek and document these stories for future generations.
Gillis has also received meaningful reactions from young readers. One six-year-old girl in Dubai read the book twice and went on to write and illustrate her own story. A young reader in Vancouver delighted in seeing familiar Philippine dishes mentioned in the book—a moment of connection that Gillis calls “deeply affirming.”
For Gillis, storytelling goes beyond entertainment. “Children’s books help shape values,” she explains. “They teach empathy, emotional intelligence, and moral awareness.” Her love of stories began with Aesop’s Fables and her grandfather’s tales. Today, she draws inspiration from authors like J.K. Rowling, Hans Christian Andersen, and the Brothers Grimm—writers who, like her, believe in the power of stories to shape young minds. She hopes The Horse Soldier encourages children to take pride in their culture and be curious about the past. “History isn’t just something in textbooks—it’s lived. It’s remembered.”
Gillis is currently working on a full-length version of her family’s wartime experience for adult readers. She’s also considering expanding The Horse Soldier into a young adult series, continuing to explore Philippine history in age-appropriate ways.
She is also contributing to Vancouver’s Dimasalang Artists Group Anthology Project, a collaboration that blends Filipino literature and visual arts to celebrate identity and heritage.
“The kids guided me,” Gillis remembers. “They helped me keep the story honest without making it too heavy.”
To fellow writers, especially those working on children’s literature, Gillis offers this advice: “Write from the heart. Kids know when a story is genuine. Don’t be afraid to share something meaningful.”
With The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret, Sandie Oreta Gillis has done more than preserve a family memory—she has created a work that bridges generations, cultures, and continents. The book stands as a testament to courage, compassion, and the power of storytelling.
As young readers journey through Lt. Ramsey’s heroism and a Filipino family’s compassion, they also learn that history is not just about dates and battles—it’s about people. And sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones told at home, passed down in whispers, remembered in love, and honored—like a postage stamp—for all the world to treasure.
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The author extends his sincere gratitude to Dexjordi Lyle Sison for his assistance with the photos.
Leodivico Padua Masuli writes from Quezon City, where he is a security officer. His imagination and creativity were nurtured while growing up on a farm in Libertad, Abulug, Cagayan. He loves nature and enjoys watching documentaries.
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