More than 5,600 marchers had the honor of shaking hands with a Bataan Death March survivor before beginning their 26.2 mile trek in the New Mexico desert March 22 during the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range.
"Today we have ten American survivors here sitting in front of you. They stand as a living testament to the memory of Bataan," said WSMR Commander Brig. Gen. Timothy Coffin during the opening ceremony. "They faced physical and spiritual hardships that for many were too great to bear. The legacy of the march, which has brought us here today, keeps its history alive and ensures the sacrifices made and lessons learned are not forgotten."
Marchers took off following the ceremony, but not before taking the time to shake hands with a survivor and thank them for their sacrifice.
Also present were several Wounded Warriors, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States, Jose Cuisia, U.S. Senator (D-NM) Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative (D-NM) Steve Pearce.
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