LAS CRUCES - It was a chilly morning at White Sands Missile Range, but nearly 8,500 registered marchers managed to keep themselves warm as they waited to start the 29th annual Bataan Memorial Death March on Sunday.
The sun was barely rising as the participants stretched, took photos and chitchatted among each other waiting to take on the 26.2-mile or 14.2-mile desert terrain marathon.
Some ran for current and former military family members, others ran for achievement and the camaraderie the event builds.
The memorial march event honors the 68,000-plus civilians and members of the American and Filipino armies who were captured by Japanese forces during World War IIand forced to walk 70 miles in five days through the Philippinesjungle to a prisoner of war camp, where they were held for years. Many perished on the march and later in harsh conditions at the camp.
Here are a few of the stories behind the Bataan march participants and what got them to train for months for the event.
More:Meet the 100-year-old survivor who took part in the Bataan Memorial Death March
Son of Bataan survivor
Dave Meyrick, a retired staff sergeant in the Army,held a red and white support cane as he was being navigated through the crowd.
Meyrick, of Las Vegas, Nevada, participated in memory of his father who was a Bataan Death March survivor.
“I’m marching for him,” Meyrick said.
It was the first time Meyrick attended the event and he said he hopes the event fosters learning for those who don’t know about Bataan or World War II.
“It’s a good remembrance for kids,” Meyrick said. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for people like my dad and like the POWs who gave their life.”
Collecting badges
Anthony Meyer, 12, and Mason Abrahams, 13, had a goal in mind: receive their Boy Scouts Hiking Merit Badge.
The two boys are also the sons of Army soldiers stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
“We’re here to honor the survivors as well,” said Mark Meyer, Anthony’s dad. “It’s great to see young people here doing this.”
Finding family
Taped to Glenn Rivera’s backpack was a tribute to his grandfather. Jose Atagon, a Bataan survivor and prisoner of warfor a year and a half.
Rivera, a nurse from California, attended the march for the first time — but not the last — with his brother Kenneth, a member of the Air Force.
When the Rivera brothers arrived to the event site, they only knew each other, but they quickly found friends with other Filipino marchers and formed an informal group.
“So far it’s been great meeting new people,” Rivera said, particularly meeting people whose loved one have similar stories of his grandparents. “It’s a priceless experience.”
One of the new people Rivera met was Rowena San, who marched in memory of her father, Maj. Pedrito Ortiz, a guerrilla fighter at the time.
“My father was a guerrilla, so I’m here to honor him,” San said. “And it’s always been on my bucket list.”
Wounded warrior
It was the first-time retired military Alex Delrilo, a double leg amputee, participated in the march. Delrilo was part of the wounded warrior group that led at the start of the marathon.
“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Delrilo said. “And this walk is a small portion of what these gentlemen went through every day.”
Kilting it
1st Sgt. Edward Maschek, of San Antonio, rocked a forest green kilt as he participated in the march.
Maschek, who was there is support of Boy Scouts, said he has been rocking the kilt to help bring attention to the Boy Scouts.
“As a former scouter, (the march) is a great thing because it reminds us of the history of the military and our nation,” Maschek said. “It’s an honor to be here, I’m proud.”
Military heavy
It was time to step up the game for second-time marathoners Giovanni Benitez and Zach Martin. Both sophom*ores part of the Union High School JROTC program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Benitez and Martin filled their rucksacks with 35 pounds, participating the heavy category of the marathon.
The two participated last year and wanted to “kick up the challenge.”
“It’s amazing to be back and hear the good stories the veterans and everyone has to tell,” Benitez said.
A long way from home
1st Sgt. Jorge Lian, originally from Norway, is one of the first four first sergeants of the Norwegian Army stationed in Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas.
Lian, who carried the Norwegian flag and a Viking helmet, said he participated because of the short distance to the event.
“This is so close (to Fort Bliss) so I just had to do it,” Lian said.
Ali Linan can be reached at 575-541-5476, alinan@lcsun-news.com or @Ail__Linan on Twitter.
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