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 D.]

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

[OLD GEEZER]

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)

[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

[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.