-
Pictured from L to R: (back row) Terry Pierce, Quinten Allen, Juaquin Ramirez, Jonathan Clutter, Taylor Goddard, Heathrow Hammar, (middle row) Charles Mack, Aidin Edmondson, AJ Irvin, Ryan Miller, David Lancaster, (front row) Conrad Kraft and Brandon Willis.
Memorial Death March, Saturday, April 9th in Oklahoma City to commemorate the infamous World War II Bataan Death March.
The Bataan Death March occurred in 1942 after the Japanese attacked the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines, where American and Filipino soldiers were stationed. On April 9, 1942, the United States and Filipino soldiers surrendered after months of battle, disease and dwindling or exhausted vital supplies. The soldiers, deprived of food, water and medical attention, were forced to march 65 miles to prisoner of war camps. As many as 10,000 soldiers were killed or died while marching.
The memorial march began at 9 a.m. on the south side of the Oklahoma river trail. The students crossed the finish line in three hours and twelve minutes. Those who take part in the commemorative event did so for many reasons: personal challenge, the spirit of competition, or in memory of a family member. All marched with esprit de corps in the ’89er battalion. Each participant received a commemorative t-shirt, coin and ribbon for their uniform.
These young men have trained hard all year with the goal of dominating any event they participate in, and they have made the 89er Battalion proud. Congratulations to the members of this year’s Bataan team.
Guthrie Great! First in State!