During WWII 1800 New Mexican's from the National Guard were sent to the Philippines because commanders thought that the New Mexican soldiers would be beneficial in speaking to the natives of the islands since the language is a mixed Spanish form and most New Mexicans were fluent in Spanish. The reason Bataan is so widely remembered in Las Cruces today is because out of the 1800 that left to war, only 900 returned and they suffered in very dangerous conditions and cruel forms of punishment. Some of the cruel things they faced were the harsh and deadly attacks by the Japanese guards, unsanitary living conditions, and definitely a very large lack of food and medicine. The Bataan survivors are now in their 80s and 90s but they are still very respected, honored, and celebrated for their bravery for fighting for our country. I have met a Bataan survivor, Joe Sanchez, a couple of years ago... At that time I didn't know a whole bunch about how bad they had it but he clearly made it evident to me how bad he and his friends had it.. The way he told his story was almost like a movie in his mind that never would fade away, as he spoke I remember how he almost slipped into a whole different world. It makes me get a lump in my throat now that I realize that he isn't the same man he was before he went in to fight for his country.
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| The Bataan Survivors as of 2011 from New Mexico |
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