Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon

[Bruce Day]

Some folks know that I came on down to the White Sands Missile Test Range in southern New Mexico for the Bataan March. A unit of National Guard from New Mexico was in Bataan when it fell and took heavy casualties. The survivors come to this with their extended families so it is not unusual to see Sgt Emilio Castro( USA ret and repatriated 1945) with his family of 30 or 40, all in uniform and many serving in the same NM guard that was decimated on Corregidor.

So I though I would do a little travelog, some friends have asked me to post something about this here, but if there are objections, let me know and I'll delete it.

So a little travelog and maybe a few observations along the way. No food, I'm not Anthony Bourdain.

Driving west out of eastern Kansas past the Flint Hills Rodeo Grounds.

Wind and dust, up to 58mph, dust storms.

Worked for a few days in Dodge City then headed southwest.

Huge stockpiles of corn, elevators full, grain in piles on the ground, waiting for rail cars. Ethanol destined.

Lots of pheasants in the fields.

White Sands Missile Range. Used to fly jets low and fast down here and they'd see if they could target you with defense systems. Electromagnetic defense arrays designed to fry your electronic systems. Laser weapons systems also. Trinity nuclear test site here. Werner Von Braun worked here.

The museum. Flying saucer that was flown here. Most crashed. F-4D on display, rode in one a couple times. I may be here today because of the bravery of an F-4 crew over North Vietnam one night. Captured German V-2 rocket. We developed our space system with these captured rockets.

So the Bataan Death March marathon. I was going to do it with another Parker buddy, but he pulled a hamstring several weeks ago so I came alone. 26 miles across sand dunes, high winds, 5000-6000 ft, sandstorms, heat, dryness, dust, known as being brutal. 6400 people , mostly military, active, reserves, guard, retired , former. 5 countries and 50 states represented. All services, ROTC ( big contingent from Norwich U in New England) Jr ROTC.

Many military went battle dress and 40 lb rucksacks.

Lots of female soldiers. Not so in my day.

Getting ready in the pre dawn desert cold. Opening ceremony, some famous country and western singer does the national anthem, jet flyover, New Mexican mostly hispanic bagpipe and drum unit playing On Scotland.

On our way. As far as you can see in forward and rear.

Marathon runners in front. Danish soldiers in combat boots and battle dress take the lead for the runners and hold it. My God I don't know how they do it.

Fast moving Ranger and Marine contingents. First sergeants doing double time and in front, setting the pace, captains and top sergeants setting the example, in front on point. Couple older first sergeants I could see at the 8 mile point they were in trouble because they had been setting a hard pace and then moving up and down their line of troops and wearing themselves out. Later I could see the same groups had put their top sergeants in the middle and the young hard troops were taking care of their older non coms and some 2 striper was in the lead.


Brutal conditions. Did I mention high winds, biting sand in the eyes, up and up.

German troops. Big contingent of big guys, very blond, very Aryan. Going fast. Tough.

New Mexico Army Guard. Very mixed , anglo, hispanic ( they've been here for 300 years) Native Americans. Small hispanic females carrying 40 lb rucks. Groups of females chatting and talking about recipies while marching. Maybe this is this new face of America. If so, its pretty good.

Food and water stops staffed by community volunteers. Veterans motorcycle groups, etc.

Up Up Up . Did I mention the sand and dust and wind and heat? Have to lean into the wind sometimes to avoid getting blown over. Breathing in dust and coughing out brown.

Some folks quit early , most just slog on.

Halfway point high in the mountains, downhill from there but uphill is hard on the legs and down hill is hard on the feet.

So proud of what I see in todays military. The all volunteer force works. These troops are here because they want to be. At the same time, we have young men and women who have college degrees and much going for them and they are coming in enlisted because there are no jobs available for so many. Very talented , bright and our future and our best.

So I get to the halfway point, start down, I've been in the middle, passed up many, got passed by some , particularly those dammed Marines and Ranger units are just too tough for me to keep up with . Been feeling strong, legs good , strong, endurance and strength has never been an issue. but the feet, mainly the left sole is not good and I have it wrapped in duct tape, and I can feel its squishing in my boot.


Old ret colonel ahead with his two young sons in unform and carrying packs. dad has his hands hooked in the back of the sons pack yokes and they are pulling him along.


Bunch of soldiers ahead with blown off legs from these Moslem wars we are having. Forging ahead on one leg and one artificial or both. I'm not going to even think about whining when I see those guys.

So I am going strong, my legs feel good and lots of miles left, managing hydration, about a quart every 45min. no cramps. see some troops by the side puking and I know its dehydration.

But I have this foot issue and by now I'm even afraid to look again because I have double layers of duct tape on it.

But I'm all downhill now and at 18 miles, 8 to go. First aid station ahead and the pain is getting unbearable. Get to the medic, right foot OK, not great but left is oozing serum and blood, sock bloody. Epidural skin layer is alll gone and peeled back from the whole back half of my foot, the medic says Colonel you are done, I ask if he has any thing he can shoot it with to deaden the pain, wrap it again and i make the final 8. he gets the doc and the doc and couple nurses come over and they say they refuse to do that and if i continued to walk i would likely be laid up for several months and they would need to do skin grafts. With that I understand their position and since I am taking two Boy Scout crews to Philmont in July and cannot be down and out. So I failed to complete. But I don't like failure and I'll be back again because at 64 I know I can still do it, I just need to get my feet in better shape and I can still march in there with the best of them ....well maybe I can't keep up anymore with those Marines and Rangers, but I'll sure as hell try.

If any other Parker guy wants to do this, let me know. Its kinda brutal but I was so grateful for the opportunity to be back among the military . Up to northern New Mexico for a few days. Was going to do some hiking but now I'll keep the walking to a minimum until I get the foot better.

[Dean Romig]

I'm Very proud to be American. What determination and dedication!

Thanks Bruce.

[chris dawe]

Thank-you Bruce,very moving ....being from way up here I can't really relate,but really do appreciate the story.

Chris

[John Dunkle]

I am so proud to be an American. But my pride is dimished by all who have served. Each day. Every day. Waking up and laying their their life, their soul and all they had - on the line for us. The line was - and is - simple. They fought for what we have today.

To each serviceman and woman in uniform.... Those in uniform who were, and those who are today...

I salute you.

You have my everlasting thanks. You have my eternal gratitude. And more, my respect.

It is only for folks like you that we live in a country as great as ours...

Bruce, my many thanks for posting those pictures....

John

[David Hamilton]

Gone are the days when I could have competed with you. There was a time, but that is the past. Yes I was once fit as a fiddle and loved great exertions. I'm not sure that at 64 I could have kept up with you but I would have tried. You touched a cord- I loved my days in the Army and would have done whatever was necessary for our country. I salute you, David

[George Lander]

Bruce: You are a splendid writer. Please do not delete this post. there are a number of folks that I would like to share it with. It is events and troops like this that make me PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

Best Regards, George

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Bruce: Great story and if you arn't you should be promoted to full bird . Thomas L. Benson Sr. U.S.A.F (NO ONE COMES CLOSE)

[Robert Delk]

Good job of writing,Mr. Day. You should be a reporter or newscaster as you seem to have a way with words. I could almost see participants as you described them.I'm 65 and spent the day off loading about 3000 pounds of walnut lumber from a sawmill and am so sore I can hardly move so I am sure I would have been done long before the 26 mile mark but 40 years ago I would have done it easy.You are to be complimented on your physical condition and your "grit".

[charlie cleveland]

very moving story..im glad those that were on the first march are remembered so well.... i too 40 years ago could have done the march but time as took its toll i could not do the march now... but bruce im gladthat you were our eyes for us that have been there before... my thanks charlie

[Richard Flanders]

Good for you Bruce for your effort. Sounds like a great trip. I listened to an incredible book on CD about the March a couple of years ago. Incredible story.

[Carl Beers]

Bruce....great story! When I enlisted in the Army in 1956, my Company 1SGT and platoon SGT were both Death March survivors and of course former POW's. What a priviledge it was to serve with these two great soliders; both gone now but in my mind, certainly not forgotten. I learned a great deal from them over the years that both helped me when going through OCS School and help me today just going through life. Thanks for bringing this story to us and bringing many good memories back to front of mind.....Carl Beers

[Robert Delk]

Just read your narrative again and think you should have a byline somewhere in a major paper. Good stuff. I may have to take back all the "flak" I have given the Air Force over the years..being a former Marine and all.

[Mike Wilkerson]

A very moving tribute to our troops of yesteryear and today.

Former member of the Green Machine.

[Francis Morin]

Just read your narrative again and think you should have a byline somewhere in a major paper. Good stuff. I may have to take back all the "flak" I have given the Air Force over the years..being a former Marine and all. Also as a Marine E-6, I appreciate Colonel Day's mentioning our beloved Corps in his narrative. I lost two uncles to the Japanese in the Pacific TO, both we USN. In a strange way of looking back, they both died in Kamakazi attacks on their ships, and maybe were lucky not to have been captured and tortured by the cruel Japanese Army. Their values and religion are way different than those here in America. Another uncle was a waist gunner on a B-17 and their bomber was shot down on the Polesti raids- all the crew parachuted out safely, were captured on the ground by members of the Volksturm, and spent 11 months in a Luftwaffe Stalag (german word translated-stockade)-- but were not tortured, even the two members of the crew of the Jewish Faith.

Now our WW11 enemies are our allies, and we find ourselves trying to help Japan recover from the earthquake/disaster and possible Chernobl USSR nuclear disaster- life is, indeed, a "strange twist of fate"--

[George Lander]

Francis: "Life is indeed a strange twist of fate" The English,The Germans, The Jappanese The Koreans, The Chinese, The Vietnamese and now, most probably, The Afgans & The Libyans have all built booming economies with the help and money of the Good Ol U.S of A
(well maybe not the English, but that was a long time ago)All our former enemies. And we are in serious debt to most if not all. God must be sitting up there on his throne and laughing out loud at our stupidity. All the lessons that welearned in Vietnam seem to have been forgotten by our current government.

Best Regards, George

[Francis Morin]

[quote=George Lander;39494]Francis: "Life is indeed a strange twist of fate" The English,The Germans, The Jappanese The Koreans, The Chinese, The Vietnamese and now, most probably, The Afgans & The Libyans have all built booming economies with the help and money of the Good Ol U.S of A
(well maybe not the English, but that was a long time ago)All our former enemies. And we are in serious debt to most if not all. God must be sitting up there on his throne and laughing out loud at our stupidity. All the lessons that welearned in Vietnam seem to have been forgotten by our current government.
--And ignored by the administrations of LBJ and Tricky Dick as well from 1964 and the Gulf of Tonkin SNAU to 1975 and the exit of the American Embassy, under guard by my beloved USMC.. The only ones from the Vietnam War era that took those lessons to heart have their names on the Black Wall-LBJ went back to Texas to practice lifting Beagles by their ears, Nixon went on to be the ONLY President to resign his office in disgrace (although Slick Willie the Draft Dodger should have), MacNamara and his band of cost cutters went back to other endeavours (the cheap SOB didn't want to revamp the POS M-16's for combat reliablilty (like the great M-14 and M-1 Graand) at the cost of many American lives-- You don't win a war with politician or Dan Rather/Walter cronkite coverage (and Hollywood airheads posing for pin-ups with NVA SAM batteries).

One of my regrets in having to pass on your invite for the pending Southern event about a month away is I won't have the chance to sit and sip some bourbon and branch with you and others and thrash over all of this--but that is indeed, one of the many blessings we have in America- and our brave fighting men are sent into Harm's Way by men who have never worn the uniform or field-stripped a weapon, and we are free to discuss and criticise, not so under Tojo, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Ho Chi Min, the Czar, the kaiser- and the list goes on. Thanks for your reply and by doing so, also your support of all the men (including Colonel Bruce Day) who recently honored those American and other allies who perished at the hands on the cruel oriental powers of WW11- "lest we never forget their sacrifices"!!

[Bruce Day]

well thanks, guys. I was only one of many. My Blackberry cell phone at 3 years old just plain died, so got a new I phone and still setting it up. Up in Taos, a favorite place, for the trout waters and saw Arlo Guthrie and the Burns Sisters last night. Back to Kansas tomorrow. Still a little sore on the left foot but not bleeding now and I think I could do the Marine basic end march in a couple weeks. Francis, care to join me next year?

[Dean Romig]

Did Arlo sing the "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" or is that just a Thanksgiving tradition these days?

[Francis Morin]

well thanks, guys. I was only one of many. My Blackberry cell phone at 3 years old just plain died, so got a new I phone and still setting it up. Up in Taos, a favorite place, for the trout waters and saw Arlo Guthrie and the Burns Sisters last night. Back to Kansas tomorrow. Still a little sore on the left foot but not bleeding now and I think I could do the Marine basic end march in a couple weeks. Francis, care to join me next year?-- Thanks, Colonel. I may just do that, I try to walk every day- BUT it was back in the 1960's we did the 20 miler with full pack, Garand and the D.I.'s even checked our canteens to see they were full. Ever since Boot Camp, I have never "cut corners" on boots- Russell, Red Wing, Gokey-and you'll find few Gyrenes/ Army Infantry or Airborne Veterans who didn't learn that lesson. And, if the Genie of the lamp grants me 3 wishes, one of them just might be a late season Kansas pheasant hunt with you, Charlie Herzog, Dr. Jim and John Dunkle. We had a preserve Club hunt last Sat- some snow skiffs, wind- blue sky- BUT-- that's "Country Club" hunting.

Arlo Guthrie is still alive and pickin' out his 1970's stuff?? Every year on Thanksgiving Day a local GR radio station has an "Alice's" marathon several times- almost 20 minutes of pickin' the same Travis style three-finger riff-Wow, don't know how (or why) he did it.

All Veterans owe you and all the Marines and Rangers a salute for the honor you paid to the brave men who died at the hands of the Japanese on not only the Battan Death march following the fall of the Phillipines, but during the entire Second World War- Pacific TO. I have always put the 1959 movie "The Bridge On The River Kwai" in my Top Ten all time great movie list- BUT-- a real Japanese Col. (even if educated in London and fluent in English as was Col. Saito) would not have hesitated to have the British officers machine gunned to death for refusing to do manual labor. And there would have been no Captain Clifton, the medical Officer or sick bay hut- if you didn't work, you didn't eat and either starved to death, died of typhus and got a bullet in the head. The SS and the Gestapo in the European TO were no better, to be fair minded- They machine gunned the escapees they rounded up after the Great Escape. The "Geneva Convention" was window dressing, all wars bring out the absence of humanity of men caught in up in armed conflict!

[Francis Morin]

Did Arlo sing the "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" or is that just a Thanksgiving tradition these days?=-- As Arlo was a war protester, I doubt if ALICE was a All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment issue pack. I always wondered how those 1960's piss-heads managed to avoid the Draft, and except for Phil Ochs (who hung himself) and Joan Baez's husband David something went to jail for burning draft cards in D.C., both Dylan and apparently Guthrie are still around and doing OK for themselves-- what a time of turmoil in America. Alice's Restaurant is the random rambling of a fairly good guitar picker almost 20 minutes in duration- and it's not even about a real restaurant when you can get a BLT or ham and eggs and grits-- what da hey??

Now Arlo did a good job with the great train song "The City of New Orleans" which I once even thought he had composed. But it was written by the late Steve Goodman in 1958. Bob Dylan probably has written over 1000 songs and is in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame I hear. My favorite from that era is Kris Kristofferson- son of an Army General and Kris served in an Army Ranger unit- Not too shabby.

[Dean Romig]

And Jimi (Purple Haze) Hendrix was a captain if I am not mistaken. Takes all kinds I guess... pissheads, hippies and leathernecks... to make the world go 'round. But most of us are still not fonda Jane...

[George Blair]

And Jimi (Purple Haze) Hendrix was a captain if I am not mistaken. Takes all kinds I guess... pissheads, hippies and leathernecks... to make the world go 'round. But most of us are still not fonda Jane...

Hendrix made it all the way to PVT E-2 before being discharged....early. But you got the Fonda part right.

[Bruce Day]

Welll guys, I saw Baez here in Taos in the 60's on one of my ways through, and Guthrie the other night. Taos hasn't changed much, still have Don Rumsfeld living up up the mountain from protesters of the war de jour, still kinda a mellow place here that is a mix of cultures. Guthrie was great, from the Burns sister's religious mysticism songs to Guthrie's mix and love for common people. Churchill said that when you are young and you are not liberal you have no heart and if when you are mature and you are not conservative, you have no head, I think he was right. Arlo did the old Woody Guthrie songs, some Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Leadbelly, all the old stuff, no rap crap, no hip hop, all for $20 each and some wore tie dyed stuff and others came in off the ranches in boots and jeans. Arlo was very accessible with the small crowd, wandered around saying hi to people.

As for Jane F. , well I could care. I see Ted Turner sometimes at the St James in Cimarron, but he left her and I've never asked him about her. Leave well enough alone.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words about the military and the Bataan Memorial. They have a 15 miler in lieu in the 26 miler if a person doesn't think he /she can do the whole thing. The best thing was being back among the troops. Some old guy ( my age) was wearing Army Vietnam era fatigues with buck sergeants stripes and a Vietnam Vet ball cap. The young troops all greeted him as they passed, so wear your old uniforms or parts thereof that maybe still fit and think about it.

[Dean Romig]

Goes like this Dean: "We will forgive Hanoi Jane when the Jews forgive Adolph Hitler!"" that tell you something??:cool::cool:

I think we're all on the same page here Francis... don't need tro be told - or even reminded for that matter.

[Richard Flanders]

Dave Von Ronk! That guy made a living playing the same songs for almost 50yrs. Unbelievable. Not many can pull that off. Very unique. I learned quite a lot of his stuff in the 70's and can still play some of it. Have always loved his style. There will never be another like him.

I'm hoping that you can find your way down there for that walk on an annual basis Bruce.

[Dean Romig]

Churchill said that when you are young and you are not liberal you have no heart and if when you are mature and you are not conservative, you have no head.


I think Mr Churchill's brushstroke was overly broad. Some of the toughest conservatives I know, respect and admire have enormous compassion and heart. I don't, however, know any liberals with much "head"... well, maybe one... or two.

[Fred Preston]

A Consrevative is a Liberal who has been mugged by reality. Who said that?

[Francis Morin]

A Consrevative is a Liberal who has been mugged by reality. Who said that?- But Stockwell Day, if memory serves!:cool:

[George Lander]

Hey Bruce: Did Arlo do "CITY OF NEW ORLEANS"? One of my all-time favourites.

Best Regards, George

[Bruce Day]

Sure George, part of it. And Deportee, He was a friend of mine, This land is your land, Alabamy Bound, lots of old stuff nobody but us dinosaurs know.

[George Lander]

Sure George, part of it. And Deportee, He was a friend of mine, This land is your land, Alabamy Bound, lots of old stuff nobody but us dinosaurs know.

Woody Guthrie, Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Williams, Sr., George Jones, Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard........................................... ......................:crying:

They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

Best Regards, George

[Francis Morin]

[quote=Richard Flanders;39629]Dave Von Ronk! That guy made a living playing the same songs for almost 50yrs. Unbelievable. Not many can pull that off. Very unique. I learned quite a lot of his stuff in the 70's and can still play some of it. Have always loved his style. There will never be another like him. Also: Joel Mabus, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt. Both Bob Dylan and Steve Goodman "borrowed" a Dave Von Ronk guitar riff-with emphasis on the relative minor of the Key used- Dylan used it in "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" and Goodman with "City of New Orleans".. Of all of Dave's songs, I like "Baby, Let Me Follow You Down" about the best. I had heard he died of a heroin overdose in Greenwich Village though- glad to hear he's still with us.---And to paraphrase Arlo-Steve-Willie- all whom have sung the great train song- after last night's Final Four play-offs- "I'm halfway home, will be there by (not mornin') Monday Night- I took the U Conn Huskies to win it all- 50% ain't bad. Wonder why they got named for an Alaskan sled dog, instead of being named the "Nutmeggers"- unless they took that nickname before 1959- Lookin' Good!!

[Bruce Day]

Francis, you got your wish with UConn, and my beloved Kansas Jayhawks went out far too early, and Jim Hall, yes your Richmond teams were superior, but that was this year and next year, look out.

And next year, maybe some of you guys will join me at White Sands. I have two friends who are getting knee replacement surgery this year, one older, another the same age, and just get a grease fitting installed with your new knee and come on the march.

[Art Wheaton]

Bruce...

The book "Ghost Soldiers" was riveting..about the marine rescue. We must never forget..

Art

[Bill Murphy]

Dean's observation about conservatives with compassion is right on. However, his statement about liberals with head must refer to someone I haven't yet met.

[Francis Morin]

[quote=Art Wheaton;39776]Bruce...

The book "Ghost Soldiers" was riveting..about the marine rescue. We must never forget..

Art[/ Part of our Motto "Semper Fi!" infers that we never forget our own- NEVER!!

[Francis Morin]

And Jimi (Purple Haze) Hendrix was a captain if I am not mistaken. Takes all kinds I guess... pissheads, hippies and leathernecks... to make the world go 'round. But most of us are still not fonda Jane...-- I'm King Henry whatever number you want. Hendrix would have had a problem with military issue ordnance anyway, even if he did serve (which I doubt)- as he was left-handed and military shoulder arms are oriented to only right handed men!! Oh well, he's dead and floating around in his Purple haze (read heroin here troops)!!

[Bruce Day]

An acquaintance, Bob Shirkey, was a young officer on the Cabutan raid to rescue the Bataan prisoners and I have heard him recount his adventures a couple times. He is retired here as a B/Gen and spent his whole career in the Rangers. I have met the author of Ghost Soldiers, Hampton Sides, but have not read the book, probably should.

[Francis Morin]

Dean's observation about conservatives with compassion is right on. However, his statement about liberals with head must refer to someone I haven't yet met. And when I saw him putting out the wreath at the Tomb of The Unknows each 11/Nov for 8 years, I wanted to puke!! I suppose I could add something about Monica Lewd-inski, but I won't, for now anyways!!

[Robert Delk]

I'd like to make the march and if they could provide some incentive, as in being chased by a superior force of NVA, I might be able to make it. Adrenalin is a wonderful stimulant!