Veterans, soldiers, and civilians get ready for the 21st Annual Bataan Memorial March
On March 21, 2010, the 21st annual Bataan Memorial Death March will take place on the White Sands Missile Range. The somber sounds of bagpipes mix in curiously with the accompanying sounds of the early morning dawn as participants of the Bataan Memorial Death March begin to slowly lineup for the day’s race…
What started back in 1989 by the Army ROTC Department at New Mexico State University and is now held every year in the desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, N.M., the Bataan Memorial Death March honors the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. In Las Cruces this March is especially significant since, among those seized were members of the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard. Sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives, these brave soldiers were marched for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles. Thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of a prisoner of war camps.
During these Memorial Marches one can’t help but to be completely overwhelmed with pride and patriotism as they march alongside over 5,300 soldiers, veterans, and civilians through sandpits and up dusty desert hills on the White Sands Missile Range. It’s also hard, if not impossible, to complain about one’s aching feet at mile 15, or the gruesome blisters afflicting one at mile 20, because of the amputee veterans marching through these same sandpits and up these same dusty desert hills in silence.
With the 21st annual memorial just one week away (March 21), people all over the world continue to get in their last few hikes, walks, and runs in to prepare their bodies for the 26.2 or 15.2 mile desert-trek. Though the Death March in April of 1942 was done in wartime with very little—or none at all—water, food, or rest, the Memorial Bataan Death March ensures that participants have proper access to water stations, food, bathrooms, and medical personnel throughout the march.
The event is open to active, reserve, National Guard, ROTC, Junior ROTC, retired military, and civilians. There will be age categories for those who wish to do the race as an individual, but there will be no age divisions for teams.
For all the details and much more information on the 21st Annual Bataan Memorial March, or to register online visit: http://www.bataanmarch.com.
Las Cruces is honored to be the home of the only federally funded monument to the Bataan Death March heroes. This monument, dedicated in 2001 and sculpted by local artist Kelly Hester can be found in the Las Cruces Veterans Park at 2651 Roadrunner Parkway.
While you are there visit the Veterans Wall, which was dedicated on November 11, 2005 for all who served their country honorably. All veterans are represented by 7,065 names of veterans who entered the armed services of the United States from Dona Ana County and who served during a major conflict from the Civil War through the Persian Gulf War.
All photos courtesy of http://www.bataanmarch.com.
Tags:Bataan Memorial Death March, civilians, Las Cruces activities, military, soldiers, things to do in las cruces, White Sands
