USTRANSCOM Sailor walks in memory of the Bataan Death March
The annual marathon is held at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., to honor the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who defended the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines.
On April 9, 1942, these brave fighting men surrendered to the Japanese who forced them to march--for days--in scorching heat through the Philippine jungles to prisoner-of-war camps. Thousands died during the march. Many others were wounded or killed when unmarked enemy ships transporting them to Japan were sunk by U.S. air and naval forces.
I got interested in the march through a friend in Colorado Springs, Jim Reime, Schloemann said. Hes interested in military history and heard about the marathon, so we researched it. Then another guy in my reserve unit wanted to do it last year.
According to Schloemann, a force protection specialist, enough of his friends and coworkers at the United States Transportation Command at Scott AFB, Ill. were interested to enter a five-man-team in the 26.2 mile trek through the desert. Because of illnesses of a few team members, he was the only entrant from the Scott AFB area to participate.
On the day of the event, Schloemann donned his BDUs and boots and prepared to participate in the military division of the 16th memorial march. In this section of the marathon, Schloemann explained, walkers or runners must wear their military uniforms. Another division allows for civilian attire.
During the opening ceremonies, they showed a film about the death march, and it brought tears to my eyes, Schloemann said. They had survivors of the Bataan Death March, and I talked with them. It was very moving, just imagining what they were put through and what they survived.
They would say Thanks for coming out, and I would thank them for helping our country, Schloemann continued. One veteran told me he made it through the Bataan march, then, they (U.S. military) sent him off to the Korean War. He went through all this, and had to go fight in another war.
Schloemann is currently training for this years trek through the desert sands.
I build up my mileage, starting at three miles, then six, eight, Schloemann said, you build up to where two weeks prior to the event, you should be walking or running 20 or 22 miles.
If anyone has time to participate and train, I would highly recommend it, Schloemann added. Its a rewarding experience. It doesnt come close to what the actual veterans went through, but it gives you a little bit of a taste of it, walking through sand.
Remembering last years march, Schloemann said, In the middle of the path, at the start, there were five or six veterans in golf carts. You could shake their hands as you were going by the start of the march. That was very touching.
They were saying thanks for coming, Schloemann continued, thanks for supporting the event, and I was thinking, no, thank you.
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