I am the proud son of Master Sergeant Frank N. Lovato retired, who served with the 200th Coast Artillery in the Philippines. The day the war started he was transferred to a predominantly Filipino Halftrack unit that destroyed over thirty Japanese landing craft on the Northern shores of Lingayen Gulf on December 22, 1941.  He was surrendered at Cabcaben Field, Bataan, walked the Death March, survived O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, Hell Ships, Omuta Camp 17, and Fukuoka 1. Dad is alive today and living happily and purposefully in Albuquerque New Mexico. His dream come true. He reminds anyone who will listen, that every day home in his beloved America, is a gift that is more valuable than all the money and treasures in the world.

For the past 10 years I have had the privilege of interviewing him and writing his story. I visited the Philippines and followed his footsteps from Clark Field to a remote beach north of Lingayen Gulf and down into Bataan. I visited the O'Donnell, and Cabanatuan sites and walked along the original road of the Death March. I could feel the spirits of the Defenders with every step I took on that hallowed ground. 

Fortunately, I was able to get SURVIVOR published and available for distribution via the internet and through personal presentations. www.Survivorbook.com

I made an mini-exhibit of enlargements with captions of the poignant artwork of former POW and Professor Emeritus, Ben Steele. Almost everyone who see it are moved to tears. Our Greatest Generation viewers remember somberly and pay their respect in quiet tribute. The younger usually say, "I never knew" or "Why didn't they teach us about this in History class?"

 

I am so glad to have the opportunity to affiliate with you and the work that must be done to honor, remember and preserve in book, photos, CD, drawings, and film all of the histories of these heroes whose sacrifice we will be forever indebted to. It is our duty to not only remember but to inform, educate and advocate for them. We would not be here if not for their staunch commitment, fortitude, resilience and unfailing faith. I feel, as a living descendent a duty to continue their dream to survive and make a better world through their example.

I look forward to meeting you in San Antonio. Feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone that wishes to communicate with me.