By J. L. Kunkle

About the Men
About the Times
About the Geography
About the Pacific War
About PTSD
About the ADBC
(American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor)

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March 30, 2008 - White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico ~ Each year, there is a re-enactment of the Bataan Death March held on the grounds of the White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, NM. The 4,500+ participants this year included teams and individuals from all over the world competing for the best time in individual class, and in lightweight and heavyweight teams.

There are two courses, a shorter (but by no means easier) 15 miles for those who wish to honor the servicemen who sacrificed and died on Bataan. Indeed, many also participated to honor the memories of those who did not return from Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. You need to see events such as this to understand the true meanings of American Military culture.

The full course stretches through the rocks, dust and cacti of the waterless New Mexico desert. Many participants were astonished to discover that the course, winding over 26 miles through arroyos, scorpions and sand, somehow managed to have absolutely no downhill segments and very few level ones.

Carlos and the author signing copies of "Carlos, A Tale of Survival" at
registration for the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

A participant wearing the uniform of an Army WAC at the
2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

This participant is reading while taking a break for lunch at the 2008
Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM. Another event participant
reported reading the book from cover to cover the night before the event.

Carlos relating his experiences to some young listeners at the
2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

A huge garrison flag flown from a fire engine crane at the
2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

Crowds of marchers streaming into the morning sun at the
2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

There were many participants with war injuries and amputees there to test their strength
against the desert at the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

There were many participants with war injuries and amputees there to test their strength
against the desert at the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM. All you need
is the heart of a lion and two buckets of balls.

Some glamour gals struttin' their stuff at the 2008 Bataan March at
White Sands Missile Range in NM. The pink t-shirts are urban camo.

Thirteen miles and participants are beginning to feel it at
the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

A welcome level spot in the all-uphill course at the
2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

The bottom of an uphill three-mile stretch with loose, ankle-deep sand and
desert heat at the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

The finish line is just ahead at the 2008 Bataan March at
White Sands Missile Range in NM.

There were 12 actual Bataan survivors there for the event at the 2008 Bataan March at
White Sands Missile Range in NM. After the finish, the winner didn't wear his medal; when
he was asked why, he said, "After what those guys endured in the real march, if I wore
this I'd feel like a total _ _ _-hole".

Carlos Montoya posing with three young fans at the
2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

Joshua Kunkle across the finish line in nine hours at the
2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

Joshua Kunkle a tad worse for wear after the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

Joshua Kunkle was the only staffer at I-Socket Presse to finish the 26.2 mile course
at the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM. He is indeed the best of us.

A team participant limps from the field after the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.

Author J. L. Kunkle at the 2008 Bataan March at White Sands Missile Range in NM.