Offutt warriors to run in 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  They marched more than 80 miles in the tropical heat of the Philippines without adequate water or food. Many couldn't continue and were beaten to death or shot.

On April 10, 1942, the day after the surrender of the main Philippine Island of Luzon to Japanese forces during WWII, 75,000 Filipino and American troops were captured on the Bataan Peninsula and forced to march to a prison camp near Cabanatuan.

The march became known as the Bataan Death March as prisoners of war were forced to march 85 miles in six days, with only one meal of rice during the entire journey. Anyone who fell because he couldn't continue was beaten or killed.

Around 54,000 American and Filipino POWs completed the march, yet many later died at Camp O'Donnell, a Japanese POW camp.

The Bataan Memorial Death March, now in its 22nd year, is set for March 27 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The march is held every year to honor the servicemembers who defended the Philippine Islands during WW II and sacrificed their freedom, health and lives.

Two members of Team Offutt plan to participate in the 2011 edition of the event, which features several categories. Participants can run or march in the event in either the military or civilian light or heavy categories.

Those who choose to participate in the military heavy category will do so while carrying a 35-pound rucksack.

Master Sgt. Johnathan M. Ward, unit personnel reliability program monitor for the 55th Security Forces Squadron and a veteran of 16 marathons, said he'll be running in the memorial march as he works toward his goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states and to honor the survivors, as well as those who died in the Bataan Death March.

"It's important to remember the survivors and honor the ones who died," Sergeant Ward said. "Their sacrifice puts life's hardships in perspective, like not getting your coffee in the morning or having the cable go out; an event like this one has a way of keeping you grounded."

Sergeant Ward also encourages any one who signs up for the memorial death march to look for positive influences should they tire during the event.

"No matter how hard you train and how good you feel at the start line there is always a possibility of not finishing or not doing as well as you thought you were going to," he said. "The important thing to remember is even though you may have personal goals, we aren't going to be out there for ourselves. We are out there for a bigger more important purpose."

If the marathon gremlin pays athletes a visit, they should stop, take a look around and find something positive, Sergeant Ward said.

"Maybe it's cheering on a fellow athlete, taking in the scenery or making a friend with a fellow competitor," he continued. "The miles will still be there when you get going again and when you finish you'll always know that no matter what, you honored the warriors who came before us."

Staff Sgt. Nina A. Lawson, NCO in charge of installation personnel readiness for the 55th Force Support Squadron, will join Sergeant Ward in the desert of New Mexico on March 27. She said she's participating in the event to honor the brave Americans who gave their lives in 1942.

"I think it's important for servicemembers to honor all warriors who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country," Sergeant Lawson said. "Knowing what it truly means to be an American also means knowing the history that contributes to the freedoms we all enjoy."

"I believe there are several ways to show our respect and honor for these warriors who came before us, running in this (event) is just one of those ways to (honor them) and in a sense, walk or run in their shoes," she said.

Sergeant Lawson plans on completing nine marathons this year. She said the Bataan Memorial Death March will surely be the most difficult one she attempts.

"I've been reading about the course, elevation and desert conditions," she said. "This will most definitely be the toughest course of my marathon season for 2011."

While completing the march will be a challenge, Sergeant Lawson said the memory of those who made the march in jungle conditions more than 60 years ago will help her finish.

"I'm sure any hardships or struggles I experience during my run will be nothing compared to what our fellow Americans faced during the real thing," she said. "That's what I'll be thinking of. Those brave members were marched for days in scorching heat through the Philippine jungles and endured horrific treatment form enemy forces; that will be my motivation to keep going, to honor the sacrifices of those brave Americans."

Registration for the Bataan Memorial Death March is now open. Anyone interested in participating can register through the www.active.com website.

Participants may register as individuals or members of a team. The event offers a 26.2 mile course and an honorary route of 15.2 miles, designed for those who want to memorialize Bataan but don't wish to march or run the full 26.2 miles.

The event begins at 7 a.m. and participants have until 8 p.m. to complete the course.
Awards will be presented to the top male and female participants of each category for the 26.2 mile course. No awards will be given for completing the 15.2 mile course.

All registrants will receive a T-shirt, dog tag, certificate, continental breakfast on race day and a meal at the finish.

For more information about the memorial death march, visit http://www.bataanmarch.com.