WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. - Reporters are known as cynics and cranks (that's what my friends in the public affairs shops in the Pentagon tell me) so I'm going to run against the trend. The folks from the White Sands Missile Range, the New Mexico National Guard and the Reserve Officer Training Corps who ran the Bataan Memorial Death March at the Missile Range did the Army proud.
These military sponsors of the event deserve kudos for superb organization, but the Army is supposed to be organized, right?
What made it a special and moving experience for me were the small touches: a bugler sounding reveille followed by a heart rending "Taps" as the sun crested the desert mountains; the kids from on-base families handing out flags to the marchers and then saluting them a mile from the finish line; and the hundreds of volunteers who gave out cups of water or energy drinks, cookies and -- best of all -- cheers and encouragement.
The Memorial March this year attracted a record crowd of some 5,300 civilian and military participants, up 800 from the 4,500 participants in last year's event. That old fashioned word "camaraderie" best summed up the event. For one day, on the grueling desert course here, Americans (as well as teams from eight other countries) from all walks of life, of all ages, came together for a common mission, and did so with courtesy and respect.
Putting one foot after the other on a 15.2 mile course, or one that was 26.2 miles long, is a great equalizer - and that applies to generals as well this aging Marine corporal. Army staff director Lt. Gen. David Huntoon flew in for the event and completed the 26.2 mile course in just more than six hours. Not bad for a 57-year-old guy whose day is filled with more briefings than grunting.
I completed the 15.2 mile course in five hours and 17 minutes. Not bad for a 65-year-old guy who spends his life in front of a computer. I plan to do the 26.2 mile course next year, and Huntoon said if I do, he'd do the 26.2 mile course next year with a 35-pound pack
See you then, sir.
COMMENTS
We honor all who participate in this event, and the others like it around the country. In some parts of the country, our military are ignored, but we in the West truly admire and respect them. The Bataan Death March honors all military, not just the ones who were at Bataan and Corregedior at the start of WWII.
I served 3 years active duty during the Vietnam war. I stil serve as a civilian working at White Sands. My family has several members who are retired and I have five nephews in the Marines (one has served 5 tours).
We all recognize the support of the military is critical for our success. Sometimes we need events like the Bataan Death March to remind us of what it truly means to sacrifice for your country.
I am proud of the military, even when the leaders go in a direction I think they should avoid. Over the past 225 years, we have always managed to correct our course and find the proper way.
Thanks to all who have or who are currently serving. We need you and will support you, come what may.
Harry Palmer 04/21/09 12:13 am ET
My father(Luis G. Espinosa) served in the 200th Coast Artillery and survived of the Bataan Death March. I would like to say thanks to all the volunteers who have spent an inordinate amount of there personal time to put this event on. Its great to be an American.
Sam Espinosa 04/06/09 11:53 am ET
OK Bob, it's been a week now. I have decided I will try again. We apparently walk at about the same pace because I hit the timer coming off the mountain at about the 18 mile point at 6 hours. I was walking alone and that was not fun. I will walk the 26.2 mile course with you next year.
BEV 04/06/09 08:33 am ET
Thank you, Mr. Brewin! Great article! Like many Americans, I have a brother who serves in the Army. He is awesome and it makes me proud to be his sister...proud to be an American...blessed to be protected by men and women like him. Articles like yours - speaking proudly of our military - are long overdue. Wouldn't it be wonderful if ALL Americans practiced "camaraderie" and remembered that our military fight for us on foreign soil so that they do not have to defend us here on US soil...
Ronaele Creel 03/31/09 10:27 am ET