WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 26, 2010) -- Registration deadlines are fast approaching for participation in the March 21, 2010 Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Would-be participants in the event have until March 6 to register by mail, and March 14 to register online. The Web address for online registration is <a href="http://www.bataanmarch.com" target=_blank>www.bataanmarch.com.</a> Participation costs $65 for an individual, and $275 for a team of five.
The 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial Death March is being held this year for the 21st time, and begins at White Sands Missile Range.
The march is open to military and civilian teams and individuals in either heavy or light divisions. Marchers entered in a heavy division category carry a 35-pound rucksack. Military personnel marching in any military category must wear full field gear.
In addition to the main march, there is also 15-mile Bataan honorary march.
The Bataan Memorial Death March honors the World War II veterans who suffered at the hands of the Japanese in the jungles of the Philippines.
On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino military forces -- responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines -- were surrendered to Japanese forces.
Those who surrendered to the Japanese were forcibly marched more than 60 miles from the Bataan Peninsula to prison camps. Thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of a prisoner-of-war camp.
The memorial march originated in 1989 with the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Department at New Mexico State University.
Social Sharing