The Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range is a one of those races that captured my attention many years ago. My daughter Casey and I ran and finished the “Heavy Half” of 14.5 miles. The event is more than a marathon, regardless of the distance.
The race was established 36 years ago to honor the lives of tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces and were forced to march more than 60 miles in the scorching heat though the Philippine jungles. That occurred in April 1942. Thousands died and those who survived faced the hardships of prisoner of war camps.
What was unique about the race is that every runner is assigned to run, or march, for a a fallen warfighter.
Casey ran for Marine Gunnery Sergeant Aaron Michael Kenefick. He was KIA in September 2009. A very moving tribute, written by is father is found here on the website Hero Portraits.org. Here is a portion of his tribute:
Why I consider my Son a True American Hero!!! My Son(my first child, older brother to 2 sisters) was an AMAZING Man of 30 years old when he was KIA in Afghanistan. Gunnery Sgt Aaron Michael Kenefick, USMC, was already a stellar Marine as he had received Marine of the year twice within the first 10 of years years of service. Aaron also served as “Personal Attendee” to former President George W Bush at the Republican National Convention in Sarasota Fl also working at CENTCOM, Central Command, Tampa Fl from 2004-2007 as Aide to two Major Generals.
I ran for LCpl David Finlayson.
According to a memorial website, Marine Lance Corporal Finlayson was the picture of health when he enlisted in the Marines in 2011. He served with the 1/3 Marines as an assaultman, and he never missed his target. While on a five-mile training run with his battalion in Hawaii, his heart went into a bad rhythm and he collapsed. Efforts to resuscitate him failed. David died on 7 November 7, 2013, at age 25.
Here is why it was so appropriate for me to run for LCpl Finlayson, I have some similar heart issues ad know all too well about the heart getting into a dangerous rythem, the heart stopping/restarting and a heart attack.
In a unique twist, my other daughter has served as a medical tent volunteer for the previous two years at the race/march. It was good to have the entire family involved and honoring Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard.
