Bataan Death March To Be Re-Enact In New Mexico, Texas

Re-Enactment Of Bataan Death March In  New Mexico And Texas Will Be Held On March 17-19, 2017

Bataan Death March will be re-enacted in New Mexico and Texas starting March 17-19, 2017 in commemorating its 75th anniversary.

Surviving family members, veterans’ advocates, Philippine Embassy dignitaries, community supporters, congressional leaders, elected officials, Filipino, and American World War II veterans will commemorate the 75th of Bataan Death March.

The 75th anniversary of the yearly Bataan Memorial Death March (BMDM) will highlight the re-enactment of the almost 75, 000 Filipino and American Soldiers who march arduously for over 65 miles following the surrender of Bataan last April 09, 1942.

Bataan Death March
Bataan Death March in 1942

The death march perished almost 9, 000 Filipinos and 1,000 Americans, while many people died in prison camps. BMDM is the biggest commemoration of death march outside the country, which draws more than 72, 000 people at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico.

The annual event started 28 years ago, which participated by thousands of people including both militaries and civilians. Over 7, 000 people from the United States were expected to join the march this 2017.

The BMDM had started on Friday (March 17, 2017) up to Sunday (March 19, 2017). The Filipino-American who will join the march will be by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba of the  Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP).

Bataan Death March

The commemoration of Bataan Death March is a sign of giving respect and honor to the soldiers of the greatest generation. This event also allows the people to pay tribute to the sacrifices and service of the slain soldiers, according to Taguba.

Here are the major events for the annual event:

Friday, March 17

  • All day Registration
  • Survivor Descendant Welcome Reception, 3:00 – 5:00 PM

WSMR Frontier Club

  • Movie: “The Great Raid,” WSMR Post Theater

Saturday, March 18, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  • FilVetREP presentation on the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM), including a video documentary, “Duty to Country,” and discussion about the project.
  • WSMR Post Theater

Saturday, March 18, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

  • Bataan Memorial March and Gold Medal Commemoration Dinner, hosted by FilVetREP and Filipino American community organizations.
  • Hilton Doubletree Hotel El Paso, Sky Lounge

1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010

(Note: This dinner event is part of FilVetREP’s national campaign to raise funds for the purchase of bronze replicas for veterans and families, and to develop an education program to preserve the legacy of Filipino and American World War ll veterans.

Sunday, March 19, 6:00 AM

  • Bataan Memorial Death March Opening Ceremony

(Note: The Philippine Flag will be part of the Color Guard and the Philippine National Anthem will be sung for the first time. It will be rendered by Filipino American Jim Diego, an active marathoner and a member of  Broadway Barkada, an organization of Filipino-American Broadway performers)

  • 26-mile Bataan Memorial Death March will commence after the opening ceremony

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