Our Final Salute to A Genuine Hero

One of the last two remaining heroes of WWII's daring Great Raid, Lt. Benito Valdez, passed away peacefully at 2:08 PM on December 2 in Seattle.

Lt. Valdez, a member of the IDIC and an officer of the Filipino War Veterans of Washington (FWVW) will be remembered for delivering a stirring 6-minute testimony before the U.S. Congress. He had earnestly campaigned together with his aging comrades in Washington DC for the much-delayed war service benefits promised them.

Lt. Benito Valdez and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in Washington, D.C. (2007)

He is survived by his children and grandchildren who are, because of his determined campaign, now new residents of the U.S.

The Great Raid was a celebrated commando operation that freed 650 American and Canadian Prisoners of War (POWs) from an enemy concentration camp in Cabanatuan in Central Luzon.

Lt. Valdez, a true patriot and authentic hero, was 92.

Lt. Benito Valdez's Funeral Service Schedule

Viewing Dec. 11 Thursday, 10:00 AM to Dec. 12 Friday, 10:00 AM (BUMC)

Vigil Dec. 11 Thursday, 6:00 PM (BUMC)

Funeral Service Dec. 12 Friday, 10:00 AM (BUMC)

Interment Dec. 12 Friday, 12:00 PM (Tahoma National Cemetery)

Reception to follow at the BUMC Community Hall right after the interment.

*The Beacon United Methodist Church (BUMC) is located at 7301 Beacon Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98108 and the Tahoma National Cemetery is at 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042.