JB's March to Bataan: Bataan Survivors

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Bataan Survivors

Dionisio Perez - Phillipine Scout from Bataan Death March. If you don't know the full story the Scouts were specially trained Filipino units that were amazingly tough and held the advance lines so the rest of the military could continue falling back toward Bataan. Tough dudes!

Bataan Survivor - Harold Bergbower. Knocked unconscious on 1st day of combat and woke up in the morgue! KIA notice sent to his family who didn't know he was alive until he returned home - weighing 78 lbs - 4+ years later! survived near-death multiple other times. Shoveled coal in a Japanese steel plant and had funny stories about how the POW's got back at the Japanese...urinating on coal before it goes into a blast furnace apparently has quite a reaction!

I didn't get a good picture of it, but all of the Bataan Survivors sat in a row at the end of the race shoot and shook hands with all of the Marchers as they finished. An amazing end to hours of physical challenge.

1 comment:

AnonymousOctober 21, 2021 at 7:56 AM
Very nice Event. Proud of you all!
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Bataan Death March Memorial - background

I've never met Sgt 1st Class Todd C. Gibbs, nor will I ever given he gave his life for his country on December 7, 2004. While he may not have been a member of my family, he certainly was part of a loving family back home. While he did not directly impact my life, his actions - and those of his fellow soldiers - have allowed me and my family to lead the lives we live.

Todd's brother Bret told me about a challenge here at home called the Bataan Memorial Death March. This VFW sponsored event has - for the last 23 years - recognized the WWII soldiers from Bataan, and was originally a military-only event but now has teams and participants from all branches of the military, Wounded Warriors and now civilians participating in the Memorial. The Memorial is a marathon distance endurance challenge at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

As described by a recent participant "The hardest aspect of this event is that even though it is considered a marathon it has far too great a diversity to be considered “just” a marathon. Changing from hard pack to asphalt back to hard pack and then desert sand is enough to buckle any athlete’s knees...dusty conditions and a five-mile long hill under full sun separates the weekender from the diehard athlete...I believe the last four miles of the event is the most difficult for three reasons. First, the sand is unstable, rutted and your feet are well on there way to becoming lumps of clay. Second, you are able to see the finish line that doesn’t seem to draw any closer because of the route around the base and psychologically is depressing.. Finally, the wall creates an air block that soaks up the heat and wind which just adds to your fatigue..."

To me, this event recognizes and memorializes ALL of our military personnel - past and present - who have volunteered themselves for the greater good putting themselves at risk of injury or death on a daily basis.

I get the privilege of working in an air-conditioned office and sleeping in a comfortable bed thanks to the sacrifices of our military. As feeble as it is, I would like to say "Thank You" by putting a bit of a challenge on my own physical capabilities and participate in the 2012 Bataan Memorial Death March.

I'll use this Blog to whine about how tough it is being middle-aged and soft, but more importantly hope to use this as a platform to raise donations for noble causes supporting our troops. I am far from being a "social network" expert - having never created a blog or website before - but hope that the power of internet and our extended networks can make a difference for these charities.

Help me out! Post a story or comment. Share the charity links with your network. Recommend another charity. Let's prove that the value of the internet and Facebook is more than getting updates on Aunt Edna's bunyons! Most importantly, say “Thank You” next time you see a soldier or veteran!