WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New Mexico -- More than 5,000 service members and civilians created a sea of different military uniforms and athletic apparel. They all arrived in the chill of the early morning on the installation nestled at the feet of a large mountain range.
The challenge came in the form of a 26.2-mile march in the New Mexican desert during the 26th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range March 22. Marine Corps Training and Education Command sent a team to participate and increase Marine Corps uniformed presence at the event.
“Marine Corps presence continues to grow,” said Sgt. Maj. Justin Lehew, Training and Education Command. “ Maybe next year we will see a few hundred more.”
The event is the 73rd commemoration of the Bataan Death March when more than 60,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war endured a 60-mile forced march. These men endured severe physical abuse at the hands of their captors the Japanese Imperial army, many succumbing to the wounds and abuse they received on the trek.
“This memorial march pays tribute to the bravery, heroism and sacrifice of those who defended Luzon, Corregidor and harbor defense forts of the Philippines in 1942 during World War II,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Timothy R. Coffin, commanding general of White Sands Missile Range. “With every step you take you have the opportunity to reflect on story of Bataan.”
Three death march survivors sat next to the stage with blankets over them with their family and friends. They were greeted by many of the marchers as they corralled into their starting positions before the opening ceremonies.
The ceremonies featured: a joint color guard, a fly over by a HH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter operated by Company C, 2nd Battalion, 501st Aviation Brigade, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, known as Lone Star DUSTOFF, and a short speech delivered by Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America.
Cuisia spoke about the sacrifices made during the Bataan Death March and about the importance of the strong relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. armed forces, mentioning the humanitarian assistance efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in 2014 and the Enhanced Cooperation Agreement, which allows U.S. to station troops and operations in the Philippines.
Following the speech, an honorary roll call was given to recognize the recent loss of Bataan Death March survivors. The three survivors present sounded off in the cold still silence. A cannon was fired and the somber notes of taps played as the sun began to rise.
“It is a great way to remember my father, “ said Ceres Busa, the daughter of a Filipino Bataan Death March POW and honorary participant in the march. “It is a truly awesome event.”
Busa wore a laminated photograph of her father with a brief description about him as she marched in remembrance. This was a very common sight among many marchers who wore photos and flags in remembrance of loved ones.
Marchers endured the heat, sloping inclines with rough terrain all to just get a taste of the what the POWs endured in April 1942 in the Philippines every step a memorial and a bitter reminder of the pain, suffering and sacrifice of the ‘Battling Bastards of Bataan.’