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Desert Lightning News April 1, 2016 7

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No mama, no papa and no Uncle Sam

Senior Airman Chase Cannon

49th Wing Public Affairs

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- “No mama, no papa and no Uncle Sam.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chase Cannon)
The words surged out of the speakers and spread across the crowd.
They are the words that were waiting on the lips of each survivor and Chief Master Sgt. Ret. Harold Bergbower shakes hands of participants during the commence-
those prepared to honor them. ment of the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range N.M., March 20. Over
“Marchers, give me your attention,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Coffin, the White 6,000 participants came to honor more than 76,000 Prisoners of War and Missing in Action from
Sands Missile Range commanding general. “Hear their cry, in their own words Bataan and Corregidor during World War II. The 26.2-mile course starts on WSMR, enters hilly
‘We are the Battling Bastards of Bataan. No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam. No terrain and finishes through sandy desert trails, with elevation ranging from 4,100 to 5,300 feet.
aunts, no uncles, no nephews, no nieces. No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces
and nobody gives a damn.’ Let our cry be known, we all give a damn.” The Bataan Memorial Death March was established in 1989 to commemorate
On March 20, over 6,000 men, women and children journeyed to White the lives of those who suffered one of the most tragic events of WWII. Each year,
Sands Missile Range to honor the sacrifice of those who suffered as World the number of marchers has grown with this year hosting over 6,600 participants.
War II prisoners of war.
“No mama, no papa and no Uncle Sam” has echoed as a strong reminder for the “We have visitors here from around the world who are gathered here to
survivors and families of the thousands affected by the capture of American and honor (our veterans and survivors of Bataan)” said Coffin.
Filipino forces on April 9, 1942.
Approximately 75,000 men and women were forced to march 65 miles Whether they are active duty or civilian, from New Mexico or Germany,
through the scorching heat of the Philippine jungles. History would re- every participant joined together to show support for the survivors and
member it as the Bataan Death March. those who were lost during horrific events following April 9, 1942.
Most who stopped were killed and those who kept going were taken to
prison camps under continued torture and forced labor. The youngest participant was ten years old and the oldest was ninety-
“The Bataan Memorial Death March honors a remarkable group of World eight -- all spanning from different backgrounds and nationalities.
War II heroes, the brave soldiers responsible for the defense of the Philippines,”
said Erin Dorrance, the White Sands Missile Range chief of public affairs. “The “We have marchers here covering nine decades,” said Coffin. “That is the his-
conditions they encountered during combat and the aftermath were horrific.” tory of our past, the foundation of our strength and the foundation of our future.”

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