Bataan Death March

                         New Mexicans had history with the Bataan Death March because of the 18,000 soldiers that went to Bataan. Although we weren't at war in the Pacific, the Japanese had attack the Philippines. We had an artillery regiment there in Bataan. There was lack of food, ammunition, and other supplies that where needed. This had caused the people there to surrender quickly and what some had called a dishonorable surrender. After they had surrendered the New Mexicans and other American troops had faced  a hard journey ahead to reach the O'Donnell POW Camp just north of Bataan. On the way they troops had faced lack of water, food, and rest. They had also been abused along the way there. The Japanese  had poorly treated the POWs that where in the camps, and as well as getting to Japan in the Death Boats that had many killed cause of unmarked boats that where fired upon.
                            The survivors of the Bataan Death March and the POW camps are very older and some might not be around forever. I personally have never met a survivor of the Bataan Death March. Nor have I had any that has knew or is related to those of the Bataan Death March. Although, I have never had any relatives or people that knew or is related to any survivor of the March I still feel the sting of the wound that that experience has left on the citizens of New Mexico and the United States.