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22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March
As upwards of 30mph winds ripped through the start line, 29 Fighting Saints competitors stood their ground amongst 6,400 marchers/runners at the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands Missile Range, NM. The march is conducted in honor of the heroic WWII service members who defended the Philippine Islands sacrificing their freedom, health, and in many cases, their lives. Preparation for this day started back in November, with a rigorous training schedule. Long runs of up to 20 miles were conducted on Friday mornings before class, getting down to a start time of 3:10am! All that training brought them to March 25, 2011. The opening ceremony included an emotional honor role call of the three survivors of the Bataan Death March present and finished with a salute by two Jetfighters (T38s). Everyone was reminded of the hardships that the original death marchers had to endure. Then the teams and individuals were off, racing across the sandy desert, up and around a mountain, only then to be greeted by the infamous sand pit. Each person fought through weak knees, tired feet, and mental fatigue throughout the grilling hours of this march. But the Fighting Saints were strong and pulled through, with half the participants completing their first marathon ever. It was a historic trip for the Fighting Saints. Not only were 29 competitors sent down, but also 10 family members and 4 cadets were able to come with and cheer everyone on- their support was amazing! All the individuals placed in the top 70 of their category, and both teams entered in the ROTC division and Military Light division took first, and our civilian team rounded it out with 2nd place in the Civilian Co-ed category. As participants crossed the finish line, they had the honor of shaking the hands of the Bataan survivors, and every person remembers why they ran the marathon- to honor those that sacrificed so much for us.
