Hi to Forum Friends,

On June 25, 2009, a singer and an actress died and the world news has inundated us with practically nothing else since. Yet, on that very same day my wife, Dory, lost a good friend -- the world and the Philippines lost a great man, a leader, a man of great strength and love, but a man of quiet humility -- and the world did not notice.

This man was Commodore Ramón A. Alcaraz and he slipped quietly and peacefully into eternity on June 25, 2009.

The only notice came from the friends and family who loved and respected him -- and this notice in the Orange County (California) Register:

RAMON ALCARAZ:

Alcaraz, Ramon, born August 31, 1915, Commodore of the Philippine Navy, passed away June 25, 2009. Commodore Alcaraz, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, was one of the pioneers of the Philippine Navy which prior to World War II was a service branch under the Philippine Army. He and his family immigrated to the States and are residents of Orange, California. He formed Sierra Realty in Orange County and became an active member of his community. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Concepcion Alcaraz; his daughters, Ramona Marshall, Cecilia Schlesinger and Barbara McCrary; his sons, Alfredo Alcaraz and Ramon Alcaraz Jr.; his brother, Captain Marciano Alcaraz; sisters, Efigenia Johnson, Lucila de Jesus, Jacoba Aspiras, and Fe Perez from the Philippines; many grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Viewing and Service will be at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana 92705. Viewing will be on July 5 from 2 to 5 pm. Service will be on July 6 at 9:30 am. So little for a man who was personally decorated by General MacArthur for his actions in World War 2; so little for a man who has been an active voice for the Filipinos and democracy for decades.

In the late 1970s, my wife, Dory, and Commodore Alcaraz became good friends when they met as the first two Filipino real estate agents and brokers in the Orange County Real Estate Board. Commodore Alcaraz had risen to be the top man, the Commodore of the Philippine Navy. Then, not being a Marcos man, he was accused of wrong doing by Marcos, but then cleared of all charges. Because of this he resigned as head of the Philippine Navy. Through the years, he was a strong supporter of Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. -- and worked to see him elected president of the Philippines.

Commodore Alcaraz told Dory, "When Ninoy Aquino becomes president of the Philippines, you will ride in the Victory Parade with me." She told him, "But, I am nobody."

"Never mind," Commodore told her, "You will be in my car."

About a year ago, Dory and I visited with Commodore and his wife in their Anaheim home. They were so gracious and interesting to talk with -- but, having him show me around his home and explain all the photos on his walls was like a history lesson. He told us that just a few months earlier another driver had side-swiped his car causing it to roll over with the, then, 91 year old Commodore inside. As soon as his bruises were healed, he was driving again.

Inside their home is an open courtyard surrounded by glass panels but with no roof over the courtyard. Inside the courtyard is a tree and plants -- and a large, beautiful tropical bird, I believe a Macaw. The bird is not restrained; but is free to fly around inside the courtyard. I asked Commodore Alcaraz, "There is no roof or ceiling on your courtyard. Won't the bird fly away?"

And, Commodore replied, "He doesn't know there is no ceiling."

This made me think of the relationship many people have with God. People sit, live, and go about their daily lives -- in a box -- never realizing that, if they would only look up -- there is eternal freedom, there is eternal life. But, many folks cannot see past their own spiritual limitations. Commodore Alcaraz's bird teaches a great lesson on how not to live our lives.

A bit more about Commodore Alcaraz:

Commodore Ramón A. Alcaraz was a U.S. soldier imprisoned by the Japanese in World War II. A member of the 1st graduating class from the Philippine Military Academy in 1940. Commanding Officer of Q-112 Abra, a torpedo boat of the British Thorneycoft Coastal Motor Boat (CMB) 55 foot design. Retired as Commodore, Philippine Fleet in 1966.

The information below is from the web site: Link

A 1940 pioneer graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, which was patterned after West Point by two great Americans -- Douglas MacArthur and Dwight D. Eisenhower -- Alcaraz is an authentic war hero. He was promoted on the spot and decorated personally by General MacArthur in Corregidor for heroism and gallantry in action in January 1942. He had shot down three Japanese dive bombers as Captain of a zig-zagging "Q" (torpedo) Boat in Manila Bay facing Bataan and Corregidor. As a result, the war planes failed to bomb their shore objectives.

As staff member of the first Philippine Military Academy publication "Kaydet Gossiper" it was upon Monching’s suggestion five issues later that the paper’s name was changed to "CORPS" as we know it now. He had a good sense of humor and lots of talents. He helped roommate Washington Sagun during plebe year design such items as the cadet uniform, insignias, diplomas, class ring and graphics for both the "Corps" and the "Sword." He was also the bantam weight boxing champion in 1937 and 1938

After graduation, he joined the OSP, bassinette of the Philippine Navy and became the Captain of Q-112, one of the 3 torpedo boats the Philippines had. He saw gallant action during WW II under the direct command of MacArthur and was awarded the Silver Star for shooting down 3 low flying Japanese planes off Bataan in Jan.17,1942. He also won a field promotion. After the fall of Bataan, he became a POW and was interned in Capas. After his release as POW, he joined the guerillas in Bulacan where he became a Regimental Commander.

After the war he rejoined the OSP and helped in building a new and bigger navy. He organized the Marines in 1950 on orders of the then defense secretary Magsaysay. He held various key positions and was promoted to Commodore, the highest navy rank in 1965. In 1966, when Marcos became President, "Parron" (one of his nicknames) was relieved summarily as Fleet Commander.

A controversy on the issue of honor was raised by Alcaraz. It escalated into a Congressional Investigation which cleared him of any wrong doing. Afterwards he asked to be retired. After retirement, he and his pharmacist wife, Conching, whom he married in 1960 established a chain of drug stores they called Commodore Drug.

Ramon A. “Monching” Alcaraz # USAFFE Cpt promoted to 1st Lt. POW 4/10/1942-9/1942; Regt Commander Kakarong Guerrilla; Award: Silver Star for 1/1942; PMA 1940 grad; from Quingua, Bulacan, postwar: Rear Admiral Phil Navy, wrote a war diary that was used for the documentary in 2002 “Bataan: The Last Defense”; Orange, Ca. real estate investor; 2008 Legacy Award from Filipino Veterans Foundation (FVF)

While Commodore Alcaraz had a long and fruitful life and has now passed into eternity; his family will mourn their loss of his presence and carry his memory in their hearts. Please keep the Alcaraz family in your prayers; that our Lord will give them peace, comfort, and assurance.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

My deepest sympathies on the loss of a friend, and sounds like a remarkable man.

My condolences to his family and friends, you and yours included.