Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Jennie L. Ilustre
U.S. Army Major General Antonio M. Taguba retired on December 31, 2006, after 34 years of distinguished service to the nation. Since then, instead of one, he has been wearing many hats. He has dedicated his retirement to projects that honor veterans, guide seniors and their families, and inspire professionals and students alike to develop as leaders.
As AARP Community Ambassador, he recently headlined a half-day seminar in Fairfax, Virginia, sponsored by AARP-Virginia and the Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC). The topic was “Navigating the Caregiver’s Maze: Finding Support and Planning for Your Caregiving Journey.” By turns serious and funny, he shared his family experience as a caregiver. He went up and down the auditorium, microphone in hand, urging participants to share their stories of caring for sick or aging parents or spouse.
Later, everyone enjoyed the complimentary bagged lunch at the hall and relating their experiences. Tony, as almost everyone calls him, smiled at friends and said, “I’m heading home, see you next time.” (Another AARP-Virginia seminar takes place this November.) Participants clamored for a “selfie” with him. He is, after all, a genuine celebrity and a highly-regarded role model. Tony, gracious as always, said, “Sure!”
Reaching the top of the stairs, he stopped to acknowledge a lady who thanked him for his inspiring remarks. “You’re right,” she said, talking about her husband. “People should know about the signs of dementia.” Tony and his siblings took care of his terminally-ill mother and a widowed father with dementia. He was full of empathy.
Remarked Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President for Multicultural Leadership, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience: “General Taguba has touched so many people’s lives around the country, engaging everyone to be courageous in having the very difficult conversations about preparing to care for our loved ones.”
“He has packed venues to capacity, sharing lessons he and his family learned about caregiving. Because he connects so easily with people and on a one-on-one level with Asian American and Pacific Islanders, or AAPIs, he has been our most effective outreach spokesperson,” she added in the email interview. “AARP and the AAPI community need to clone General Taguba so we can help families throughout the country.”
Congressional Medal
Last October 1, Taguba was wearing another hat–this time, as Chairman of the Board of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP). The advocacy group also conducts a national education campaign to highlight the veterans’ heroic service during World War II. (For details, visit www.filvetsrecognition.org or go to Facebook.)
During the press conference, Taguba joined lawmakers at the Capitol who announced growing national support for H.R. 2737, and its sister bill in the Senate, S.1555. The legislation in the U.S. Congress seeks to grant a collective Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino and Filipino American World War II veterans. It acknowledges that over 260,000 Filipino soldiers responded to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s call to duty, fighting under the U.S. flag during WWII. The Philippines was an American Commonwealth at that time. Other speakers were veterans’ champions Senator Mazie Hirono, Representative Tulsi Gabbard and Representative Mark Takai, all Democrats from Hawaii, and Representative Madeleine Bordallo of Guam.
“Filipino World War II veterans served this country with unquestioned loyalty and admirable courage,” Taguba said at the event. “They risked their lives to secure democracy and freedom and ensure a better life for generations of Americans. It’s now America’s turn to thank our brave heroes and recognize their sacrifice and service to this country.”
Likewise a Hero
The general himself has been hailed as a hero in Mainstream America. He has earned his place in history for The Taguba Report, which details the abuse of Iraqi detainees in the Army’s Abu Graib prison in Iraq. During the 2004 Senate hearing on this report, top lawmakers from both political parties, including Senator John McCain, praised him for his courage, heroism and service to the nation. The Mainstream Media, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, wrote laudatory stories about him.
Eric Lachica, volunteer executive director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV) based in Washington, D.C., said Taguba is a natural advocate for the Congressional Gold Medal. Taguba also coordinated with ACFV and the community in successfully lobbying Congress for equity pension for surviving Filipino and Filipino American WWWII veterans.
“General Taguba has the public name recognition, unquestioned credibility and the deep respect of American senators and other Congress members who praised his courage and professionalism in the investigation of the abuses against Abu Ghraib prisoners,” he elaborated in phone and email interviews. “During the Senate hearing, he displayed guts, persuasive intelligence and grace under the intense glare of the media, and even when he was shunned by his military superiors, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.”
Former Commander Jay Cabacar of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5471 and D.C. Department of VFW USA, described Taguba as an outstanding leader, with his integrity and dedication to his profession. “He testified before Congress with the strong conviction to tell the truth about his findings. He knew that his testimony would end his promising career.”
Japanese American WWII veteran Terry Shima said, “Major General Taguba is a person of high integrity, professional skills, and patriotism. The Filipino soldiers, who fought in the U.S. Army, deserve to be recognized with the Congressional Gold medal.”
In a previous interview, Shima, a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, noted: “Major General Taguba is a soldier’s soldier. He’s a highly professional leader of the highest integrity. He shows genuine compassion for the feelings of his men. If I were on active duty, he is the military commander for whom I would ‘go for broke.’”
Future Leaders
Taguba is also the founder and chairman of the Pan Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM), a voluntary, non-profit organization based in Virginia. It aims to promote engagement “in mentoring, leadership, professional development, retention and advancement of Army leaders–active, reserve, National Guard and Department of the Army civilians.”
“Our focus is on developing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Army leaders,” Taguba said in a phone interview at that time. “This is the first time we’ve organized assistance to AAPIs.”
In 2009, Gem P. Daus, who taught Filipino American studies at the University of Maryland College Park, invited the community to an event organized by the Filipino Cultural Association and the university’s Asian American Studies Program. Two scholarships were announced at the event. One was named after Taguba, who keynoted the gala night.
Mencie Y. Hairston, Mabuhay Inc. co-founder and founder and director of High Bridge Foundation, Inc., said in an email on October 5 that she and author Juanita Tamayo-Lott launched the scholarship, “with the help of student volunteers from the Filipino Cultural Association and Asian American Studies Program.” Together, they raised the seed funding of $25,000.
“Since 2011, I believe nine students have been the recipients of the Major General Antonio Taguba Profiles in Courage and Leadership Scholarship,” Director Janelle S. Wong of the University of Maryland ’s Asian American Studies Program and Resource Center, said in a subsequent email. “The scholarship is still active.”
Taguba is in demand as a speaker in the Asian American community, and an invitation to address young professionals and students is sure to command his attention. He is president of TDLS Consulting, LLC, and busy as he is, he will always find time for them. For him, the youth are special, because they are the nation’s future leaders.
Indeed, Taguba’s achievements as a difference-maker are many. He was inadvertently omitted in the list of 40 Influential Asian Americans in the nation’s capital. To be sure, he deserves to be among the Top Three.
Taguba’s service tours in the U.S. Army included continental United States, South Korea, Germany and Kuwait. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served as Deputy Commanding General, responsible for overseeing the logistical and support services to 150,000 U.S. and Coalition Forces.
Taguba served as the acting director of Army Staff under General Eric K. Shinseki, the first Asian American chief of staff of the U.S. Army. His last assignment was at the Pentagon. He served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for readiness, training and mobilization in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
Among his numerous military awards are the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He has Master’s degrees in Public Administration, International Relations, National Security and Strategic Studies.
Service, in the name of peace and freedom, runs in the Taguba clan. A grandfather and several cousins fought in previous wars. Taguba’s father Tomas, who fought in Bataan, was awarded the World War II Bronze Star and Prisoner of War medals. His mother, Maria, joined other civilians who gave food to resistance fighters in the WWII Pacific Theater, at great risk to their lives. Taguba and his wife Debbie have two children, U.S. Army Captain Sean Taguba and Lindsay Taguba Keys.
