Bataan marathon proves rewarding and memorable

I am 11 years old, and I just completed the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon at White Sands Missile Range. This is a race that memorializes the Bataan Death March of World War II when the Japanese forced the soldiers who were captured in the Philippines on an extremely long and brutal march into POW camps.

Soldiers were given no medical care (even though many were wounded), very little food, and what water they got was usually muddy and bad for drinking. Those who could not go on died.

The race last weekend started with a flag ceremony and an honor ceremony for Bataan Death March and Corregidor soldiers. There were a few survivors present, and we got to shake hands with them before and after the race.

The flag ceremony was amazing as everyone was completely silent. This is rare. Sadly, I have seen people at other flag ceremonies (such as at sports games) talking, eating or otherwise being disrespectful.

The Bataan Memorial Marathon consisted of military categories, civilian categories, “heavy” categories where you had to carry a 35 pound pack, and assorted team categories. You could go 26.2 miles or the honorary 15.2 miles.

My parents and I raced the 26.2 miles in the civilian light individual category. My parents, who both served in the Army, were sponsored by Team RWB, an organization that helps veterans through sports.

During the march we saw many amputees using prosthetics who were amazing! They were as fast as, or even faster than, most of the other marchers.

We also saw some very patriotic marchers who ran or walked carrying giant American flags. Some of the military and ROTC teams carried their units’ guide-on, which is a small flag that signifies a military unit.

As we came down a long hill that we had come up earlier, we saw all the people in the heavy categories coming up. One of the heavy teams (who were obviously trying to make it harder on themselves) were all wearing gas masks, which are hot and stuffy and very hard to breathe through.

Everyone was very respectful and encouraging to each other and to me. My mom and dad, who are no longer in the Army, were called ma’am and sir by the racers and the volunteers.

At the finish line we got to shake hands with the Bataan Death March and Corregidor survivors again, who shook the hands of all 5,800 competitors and probably a thousand volunteers. It was such an honor to meet them.