Thousands join ‘Bataan Death March’ trek in New Mexico

Over 6,300 participants ran in the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March on March 27 at the White Sands Missile Range, co-sponsored by New Mexico State University’s Army ROTC. NMSU.EDU

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — More than 6,600 people participated in an annual walk honoring those who died in the Bataan Death March.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports  that people came from as far away as the Philippines and Canada to participate in the 26.2-mile trek from White Sands Missile Range on Sunday, March 27.

The Bataan Memorial Death March honors the World War II soldiers who suffered during the April 1942 march after thousands of American and Filipino service members surrendered to Japanese forces. Many died during the 80-mile march or became prisoners of war.

Eight survivors of the march were in attendance Sunday. One survivor, 98-year-old Ben Skardon, has traveled from South Carolina for the past nine years of the annual march. He hiked eight and a half miles at the memorial.

The tragedy of Bataan disproportionately affected New Mexico soldiers and their families back home; many of those seized were members of the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard.

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