The N.M. State R.O.T.C. sponsors the Annual Batann Memorial Death March on White Sands Missle Base. It is a full marathon in which you cross the desert and mountains of White Sands at marching pace. I have done it three times. It is the most rewarding marathon I have ever done.
In the early 2000’s a dozen or so survivors were on hand each year to greet the marchers and seemed taken back by OUR “thank yous” to them. ALL of them had survived the brutalities of the March and the camps and had emerged, maybe damaged, but with gratitude for life and were not embittered toward the Japanese.
They did cling to their motto, though:
“No Mama. No Papa. No Uncle Sam.
We’re the Battlin’ Bastards of Bataan!”
I wonder if this guy was one we met there.