Senior Chief Petty Officer Remigio "Rey" Cabacar was recognized by the Maryland House of Delegates January 30, 2023 for his distinguished service in both his military career and community service.  He is one of a small group of Living WWII Filipino Veterans in the Capital Area.

He enlisted in 1945, during the latter part of WWII.  He went on to serve on numerous ships, including service during the Korean War. He observed the testing of the atomic bomb at Bikini Atoll.  He served honorably for 25 years and retired in 1969.

After retirement he went on to an 18 year career in the FBI – recruited by FBI Director Patrick Gray as his personal chef, he went on to serve three more Directors of the FBI from 1969-1987.

He has served the Veterans of Foreign Wars for almost 50 years.  He is a 5-time Commander of VFW Post 5471.  He has twice been named an All-American Post Commander.  He has played an instrumental role in several pieces of legislation to improve benefits for Filipino Veterans including

            1.        Restoration of Hospitalization Benefits for Veterans living in the Philippines.

            2.        Funding for Maintenance and Upkeep of the Veterans Cemetery at the former Clark Air Base

            3.        Naturalization of citizens of Filipino Soldiers and Scouts who served in WWII under US Command. 

He and his wife Carolina have been married for 65 years.  He has 4 adult children, 11 grandchildren and a growing number of great grandchildren. 

He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on October 25, 2017.