2009 Bataan Memorial Death March

The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging 26.2 mile march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, N.M., conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.

Below is a map of the entire 26.2 mile course, followed by an elevation map detailing the gains and losses in meters:

We left the hotel at 3:30am. As soon as we left the city limits and headed out on the long, straight highway through the desert, you got a feeling that this was something special. As far as the eyes could see, both front and back, headlights headed in only one direction. It was truly a march to the march. Once through security, we entered the White Sands Military Base and we were guided to the parking area. We found a spot to pitch a tent and set up the campsite. After the start of the race, Lisa and Kellisa would go to sleep in the tent for a few hours.

Lisa and Kellisa waited in the middle of the night for the start of the march, despite the high winds and 40 degree temperature. Thank you!


The flag was raised for the National Anthem:

A fly-over followed the anthem:

The survivors are escorted to the start line:

March participants were encouraged to shake the hands (gently) of the survivors as they lined the road leading up to the starting line. I thanked everyone of the survivors and to a man, they all said "NO, thank you!" I was blown away by their responses. Yes, I was there to honor them and their service, but I was on vacation. They did the real Bataan Death March and they were thanking me? Who am I to be thanked?

Wounded soldiers have the honor of starting the march first. There were over 30 soldier's missing at least one limb and yet participating in the march. Whenever the pain started to get the better of my mind, I would just think about these soldiers and/or the survivors and that would put my discomfort into the proper perspective.

Along the trail thinking, "what was I thinking...never again":

The march proceeds through the desert towards the mountains in the distance. As this was my first time marching, I did not realize that we would be climbing up, over and around the mountains straight ahead:

"Never again"

On the backside of the mountain, almost back down to the desert floor:

Water stations are spaced along the trail:

26 miles down and only .2 excruciating miles remaining:

Kellisa waiting at the finish line:

Approaching the end, thinking "never again":

As I cross the finish line, Lisa is there to capture the moment:

It was finally over and I got to "relax" in the grass field just beyond the finish line:

Almost passed out and thinking, "can't wait until next year":

After the march, a dinner was provided. We had the extreme pleasure of sitting at a table with a young soldier who was using a couple days off to march. We thanked him for his service and sacrifices. The soldier thanked us repeatedly, for being "civilians all the way from Jacksonville, FL, who came out to support the military". Again, who were we to be thanked?

This soldier actually spent time at Club Gitmo and said it was nothing like what is portrayed in the media. He also was clearly frustrated by the majority in the congress and the White House for making our young, brave soldiers out to be the bad guys. He was also questioning the Sean Penn types that protest the military. I think it was very refreshing to this young man that we were there to support him and not to spit on him and call him a murderer or rapist.

Touching this young man's life erased all the pain my body was experiencing. I will believe this man over any politician or media person any and every day, no hesitations!

This was a life changing experience that cannot be accurately described. There is no doubt in my mind that as long as there is a Bataan Memorial Death March and I am alive...I will be there!!!