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I enjoy new and different experiences. I often do things just to
say I’ve done them. A friend once said I’m a collector of
experiences. This isn’t to say I’ve lived a crazy, adrenalin-filled
life, but if I have the opportunity to do something I have never
done before - I’m in. This was my initial motivation for
participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March this year.
To put this in perspective, a video is shown quite often
by my coworkers in the public affairs office of me being
voluntarily tasered by security forces. My PA family loves
it. I’ll admit it is quite funny. When office visitors see
this video, they ask why, as a public affairs specialist, I
volunteered to be tasered. It was simply because I had never
experienced it and now I can say I have.
I believe
experiences, whether good or bad, build dynamic
personalities, which is to say, someone who has a
well-rounded character. Participating in events, especially
cultural, allows us to view the world from a different point
of view; thus, equipping us with a greater capability for
empathy. This is one thing I especially enjoy - viewing the
world through someone else’s eyes. When I see someone
tasered, I know exactly how they feel!
I wanted to
experience the Bataan Memorial Death March, which
commemorates the infamous 65-mile forced march of more than
60,000 American and Filipino troops during World War II. If
you do not know its history, I urge you to learn more. The
perseverance of the men who survived through horrendous
conditions is beyond belief.
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March 19, 2017 - Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin poses while weighing
his pack before the Bataan Memorial Death March, White Sands Missile
Range, New Mexico. The Bataan Memorial Death March commemorates the
infamous 65-mile forced march of more than 60,000 American and
Filipino troops during World War II. (Photo provided by U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin)
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Here’s a little about
the course: participants can choose, as a group or
individual, the long course (26.2 miles), or the short
course (14.2 miles). Participants can also choose to march
in the heavy division, which requires you to carry a
35-pound rucksack or choose the light division, which
doesn’t require a pack. Additionally, those with a valid
military identification can participate in uniform.
I
am relatively close to the course, which winds its way
through the desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, New
Mexico. A lot of people travel, literally, from all over the
world to participate in this event. So, I’m sorry to say,
distance wasn’t an excuse for having not participated
sooner.
So, what was the hold-up? Why hadn’t I
already bagged this experience? I’ll admit, for me, the
course is a little daunting.
Part of my “collecting”
of experiences is this desire to get the whole experience,
not just an abridged version. So, of course, I wanted to
compete in the heavy division while in uniform, even though
competing in that division is what makes it, for me,
daunting.
I am an experienced hiker, but my usual
hike consists of a two-to-three day hike averaging
approximately 14 miles a day. Also, I’m not in the best
shape these days. So, the idea of carrying 35 pounds for
26.2 miles in one day, and in uniform, seemed undoable. I’m
100 percent positive I could complete it without a pack and
in civilian clothes, but for me, it’s all or nothing.
The push to finally go for it this year came when one of
my Army battle buddies from an Afghanistan deployment, who
is now stationed in New Mexico, mentioned he was going to
participate this year. Well, if he was going to do it, so
would I.
I began training in November, a few months
before the event. I decided to fill my five-pound pack with
a large bag of pinto beans and a couple small items, which
added up to the required 35 pounds; although, I figure I had
about another 4.5 pounds of water starting out as well.
Filling your rucksack with food is encouraged as it is
donated after the march to a local charity.
I
determined a good way to gauge my readiness for the course
was to walk a local path along a canal. This would provide
me the ability to turn around if I felt I might not be able
to walk the distance back. Also, I could easily call my wife
to come pick me up! I surprised myself by completing 19
miles the first attempt; however, by the time I made it back
to my truck there was no way I could’ve walked another mile
– maybe not even another foot. My feet were sore and I could
feel very large blisters on two of my toes.
My next
attempt, about six weeks later, I completed 21 miles on the
same path and my feet did slightly better. I was gaining
confidence about being able to do this!
For my third
practice run, I drove out to the desert and walked a dirt
road with many steep hills. The actual course is basically a
dirt road with a single hill climb and I wanted to add those
elements to the rehearsal. Although I only hiked about 17
miles this time, I felt the hills added a more strenuous
effect. My feet and toes were getting adapted and were
performing much better than they did back in November;
however, in an attempt to make sure my feet were fully
healed, I decided this would be my last trial run before the
actual course. I did continue to run outside and on an
elliptical though.
I arrived at White Sands Missile
Range the day before the march for in-processing. While
standing in line I caught portions of conversations of those
in line with me. There were hints of trepidation,
anticipation and a little bit of fear, but overall, there
was a sense of excitement.
These emotions carried
over to the morning of the event, except as I entered the
area where those marching in the Military Heavy category
were grouped, there was now this sense of comradery. Service
members were introducing themselves, getting to know
strangers and speaking words of encouragement to each other.
This comradery between marchers continued throughout the
course. In fact, I don’t think I’ve experienced a stronger
sense of Esprit de Corps.
As the opening ceremony
began I was struck by the beauty of it. The sun was breaking
upon the nearby mountain range and illuminating a large U.S.
flag, hung by the ladder of a firetruck. It was an
incredibly strong sight and you couldn’t ask for a more
perfect backdrop for the opening ceremonies.
During
the opening ceremony, the Philippine and U.S. national
anthems were sung. I was surprised that we were called to
present arms during the Philippine anthem. I don’t know how
common this is, but I would think it is incredibly uncommon
to salute another country’s anthem. It was an unbelievably
strong moment. I became immediately aware of the strong bond
our countries have, and always will have, due to the shared
historical experience of the Bataan Death March. This bond
was also clearly evident by watching eight of the survivors
interact with each other. At the start of the race I was
able to shake two of the survivor’s hands. It was an
incredible honor that I will always remember.
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March 19, 2017 - Participants in the Bataan Memorial Death March trek through the
desert of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The
Bataan Memorial Death March commemorates the infamous 65-mile forced
march of more than 60,000 American and Filipino troops during World
War II (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin)
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This bond between countries extended to the participants.
I saw marchers from Denmark, Germany, England, Lithuania and
Singapore. Around mile 24 I passed by a German and we smiled
and gave a thumbs up of encouragement to each other. I
thought to myself, a few generations ago and during the same
war we were marching in remembrance of, our countries were
enemies, but here we were - together - sharing an experience
and honoring those before us.
Honoring service
members is a big part of the Bataan Memorial Death March. It
is tradition to march in remembrance of fallen military
members; typically from your unit or someone you knew. From
my unit, March 13 marked the 35th anniversary of when four
161st Air Refueling Group Airmen lost their lives while
on-duty. In 1982, a KC-135 Stratotanker, call sign Copper 5 and tail number 57-1489,
launched from Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, on a
training mission. At approximately 10:20 a.m. Copper 5 and her crew
descended into the Phoenix area for transitions at Luke Air Force
Base, Glendale, Arizona. It was during this phase of that flight
that a civilian aircraft collided with the tail section of the
aircraft and the crew of Copper 5 was lost. Killed in the line of
duty were Lt. Col. James N. Floor, pilot; Maj. Truman R. Young,
pilot; Lt. Col. Ted L. Beam, navigator; and Tech. Sgt. Donald J.
Plough, boom operator. I marched in memorial of these fellow
Copperheads, as members of my unit are affectionately known. I had
“Copper 5” written across the back of my pack and carried a short
bio of each Airman in my pack.
Carrying that pack and
crossing the finish line was a feat. I heard one of the organizers
say he didn’t think it had ever been as hot as it was that day – 89
degrees. The course was also much more difficult than I expected. I
researched it and knew there was a hill, but I didn’t realize it was
a steady incline for about seven miles. I swear more than half of
the course is uphill, with only maybe three miles of downhill. Also,
the deep sand we trudged through at different points and over
several miles was much more difficult than I had imagined.
There were times I had to tell myself, “Just make it to the next
water station and then you can take a breather,” pushing myself
further and further along. As I drove home, I was listening to an
audio book about Bataan, which I had also listened to during the
event. One of the survivors told how one of the ways he made it
through was by telling himself to “just make it around that bend”
and on he would go.
Marchers like to think they are somehow
experiencing a tiny, and I mean an incredibly tiny, portion of what
the survivors experienced. I don’t think anyone is under the
illusion that we are suffering as they did, but this is why we are
here - to honor them through a difficult march; however, it wasn’t
until I heard that quote, that I really felt the link personally.
I started this journey as just another experience to
“collect”; however, it means so much more to me now that I have
experienced it. It will be something I will always remember. It is
something that I want to do again and not just for the physical
experience, but for mental and almost spiritual experience of
honoring the men of the original Bataan Death March.
By U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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