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Memorial marathon commemorates the Bataan Death March

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
More than 250 deployed service members participated in the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon in Southwest Asia March 29, to commemorate servicemembers who suffered the trek more than 60 years ago during World War II.

The memorial march was held in conjunction with the 19th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March, held March 30 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

"The idea of the event was to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the Bataan Death March," said Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and organizer of the event. "When the Japanese captured the Philippines in 1942, they forced more than 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war to march some 80 miles across the island to be transported by 'Hell ship' to Japanese prison camps."

Sergeant Beason said he thought it would be a great idea to bring the event to this base because of the great experience he had participating in the White Sands event in the past.

"Every year they bring out survivors of the Bataan March and hold a memorial to pay tribute to veteran's of all campaigns. I got to meet some great people who inspired me," said Sergeant Beason. "It touched me, so I wanted to bring it out here."

With the help and support of many on base and the organizers from White Sands, the event was successful, he said.

"There were 259 sevicemembers who started the race, and 248 completed it," he said. "My goal was to raise awareness of Bataan marchers because they really don't get much attention. It's the right thing to do; to honor those who've went before us."

According to Sergeant Beason, those who participated had the option to run or walk the 26.2 mile full marathon, a half marathon course, or a team relay, which allowed participants to divide the course into four legs. For those who wanted an added challenge, the military division allowed some marathoners to don a 35-pound rucksack.

Sergeant Beason, one of 23 participants in the military heavy division, pinned a special glove to his rucksack, to help him focus when the march got tough. He and 18 others in the division completed the grueling course.

The inspirational memento was worn by Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Tapper when he was at Basic Underwater Demolition training. He was one of the Navy SEALS who rescued Pvt. Jessica Lynch and he was killed in Afghanistan in 2003.

"It's special to me because his mother Judi Tapper, a member of the Gold Star Mothers, sent it to me. When it got harder for me to keep going, I looked at the glove and realized that my pain was nothing compared to what his mother, Judi felt when he died," Sergeant Beason. "Touching that glove motivated me to push past all my pain and it gave me the strength to finish."

On race day Sergeant Beason gave the other glove to his commander, Maj. Matt Powell, for him to carry.

"In the true tradition of the Bataan survivors, we started together and we finished together," he said.

Maj. Richard Crozier, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing senior Protestant chaplain, gave the invocation for the march and said he was touched by the effort of those who made the event possible.

"I'm motivated to be part of it," he said. "My uncle, John Spainhower, then a captain of the 57th Infantry Philippine Scouts, was captured along with other members of his unit on or about April 9, 1942. He later served in Korea and was one of the earliest American advisors in Vietnam. I wanted to make sure their stories are still being told and that we remember their heroism. They were living the code of conduct and upholding our core values long before any of us were born."

Tending to his blistered feet, Sergeant Beason is making plans to participate in next year's Bataan Memorial Death March in New Mexico.

"Next year is the 20th anniversary of the White Sands Bataan Memorial March, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be there," he said.

Editor's Note: The Gold Star Mothers Organization is made up of mothers who have lost a son or daughter while on serving active duty.