Anniversary of the Bataan Death March

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 09, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. TOM UDALL
OF NEW MEXICO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2008

* Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, today, we mark the anniversary of one of the darkest moments in American history.

* For the thousands of soldiers who were surrendered to enemy forces on April 9, 1942, the years that have passed since have been filled with memories of what occurred that day and in the hundreds of days that followed. Starvation. Torture. Forced work. Captivity. Death.

* But in the 66 years since, the events at Bataan have conjured other memories for the rest of us. Bravery. Sacrifice. And an unbreakable demonstration of courage.

* ``The Battling Bastards of Bataan,'' they were christened by Frank Hewlett, one of the last journalists to report on the troops before they were surrendered. For 4 months they fought, battling daily against the enemy, against illness, and against time. And when there was no fight left, when the time for surrender was upon them, they were alone. Neither planes in the skies nor boats in the sea appeared, ready to give the boost of firepower that would turn the tides. Instead, the men at Bataan laid down their weapons and walked into a hell that would last over 3 years.

* In TIME magazine, the surrender at Bataan was reported under the headline, Death of an American Illusion. ``These U.S. soldiers had stumbled ragged, sleepless and half-starved through the last days of the most humiliating defeat in U.S. history,'' wrote the correspondent. ``In no previous battle had so many U.S. fighting men gone down before a foreign enemy, and seldom had any beaten U.S. soldiers been in such pitiable condition--believing until the last hour of destruction that their country could and surely would send them aid. The U.S. had known the end was near. But it had not, could not, beforehand, taste the taste and smell the smell of crushing defeat.''

* For those of us from New Mexico, the events at Bataan strike home particularly hard because of the involvement of the 200th and 515th regiments. These New Mexico National Guardsmen came from all parts of the State and from all walks of life. On the 12 columns here we see their names and we lament at the sheer number who shipped overseas and never returned. They came to serve and they gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country.

* We also must take note at the number of Hispanic soldiers who served, fought, and died. Their service during a time of discrimination, both in the military and in the public, poignantly epitomizes the struggle they faced in being treated with equality, with respect, and with dignity. For those who remained unequivocally devoted to their Nation even while being treated as second-class citizens, we salute you and promise that we will not forget your service.

* As a token of our remembrance, earlier this year I introduced legislation that would award the Bataan prisoners of war with the Congressional Gold Medal. This award, long past due, would be a fitting tribute and would forever signify the thanks of our Nation to the soldiers who served with honor and with courage.

* Sadly, we are no longer graced with the presence of many of the original heroes who struggled and survived the ordeals of Bataan. The ravages of captivity and the passage of time have taken many of them from us and we are now left with their story and with their memory. Future generations of Americans will hear the story of Bataan second-hand, never able to meet a soldier who still bears the scars of torture or who still remembers the joy of liberation and returning home. For now, however, with those who are still here and who can still tell their story, we must grant them the widest forum and the most amplified voice to ensure that this tale of courage, this legend of the Battling Bastards of Bataan, is shared as far and wide as possible. We cannot, we must not, forget what happened at Bataan and our actions of honoring these soldiers will never meet the great sacrifice they gave on the battlefield so many years ago.

* To those who suffered and who never returned, we honor your memory.

* To those who have since passed, we remember your story.

* And to those with us today, we praise your courage and give you our thanks.

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