Warbird Information Exchange

I've been wanting to do this for a while, but go to Bataan and walk on the anniversary of the surrender the exact same route that was used . I know that there is a 26 mile march in New Mexico, but I was wondering if there is an organized event for exact route. I searched through Google, but couldn't find any thing other than the White Sands, NM walk; which not what I want to do. Any info? Is it possible to maybe organize such an event in the Philipines?

You might check out Valor Tours. They run trips to Manila and may have some info on organized marches. You can do it on you own if you do visit. The route is basically a straight shot up what was then called the East road, out of Mariveles, to San Fernando. From there the POWs were put in rail cars and sent to Capas, Tarlac from which they walked another 5 miles into O'Donnell. There are a number of commemorative kilometer monuments along the route. I was there in 2002 for the 60th anniversary, with a number of Bataan vets. The trip was run by the Battling Bastards of Bataan. Obviously, because of the age of these men, walking the entire route was out of the question. They all walked the last 5 miles, from Capas
to O'Donnell. If you do go, there is plenty of info on line regarding where you can stay along the route. Get in shape first. It's hot, and the hike out of Mariveles up the hill in the stretch called the zig zag is taxing. On the bus ride out of there, one of the vets commented to another, questioning how they ever made it up that hill in '42. I was 52 when I was there and ran the 5 miles from Capas. I started at 5:00 in the morning to beat the heat, but it was still rough. The hardest 5 miles I ever ran.

If you get the chance to go, don't pass it up.

Duane

I just finished a trip to florida and stopped by the Battleship Alabama museum on the way back. While in the Gift shop I saw and spoke with Col Glenn Frazier. Wow, a heck of a guy. He was selling a book based on his experiences in the Phillipines and his years as a POW. He is a survivor of the Death March, the POW camps, the hell ships and slave labor.
If you get the chance, go by the battleship and see him. He lives nearby and is one interesting Hero to talk to.

Herkneg

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“At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child - miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.” - P.J. O’Rourke