WHITE SANDS Missile Range, N.M. -- Four Ohio Air National Guard members of the 178th Wing, participated in the Bataan Death March at White Sands Missile Range, March 19.
178th Wing members Master Sgt. Chad Kelley, Master Sgt. Jonathon Nossa, Tech. Sgt. Kaitlyn Barone, and Staff Sgt. Lynley Mainous participated as a team in the 26.2 mile memorial ruck march.
The team took turns carrying the American flag to honor those who suffered and died in the original march.
“It’s hard to explain, but I feel like I am blessed to be alive and healthy. So I want to do what I am capable of for those that couldn’t,” said Mainous.
“People lost [their] lives and suffered so much. So carrying the flag was like carrying them with me, to prove that they didn’t die in vain and they will never be forgotten.”
During the march, the members were faced with treacherous terrain as they hiked through the sand and mountains in ninety degree weather. They had to overcome not only physical challenges, but mental challenges as well.
“You need to prepare yourself mentally,” said Kelley. “Your mind is challenged from the start to the end. You can do more than what your mind is telling you.”
Although challenging, the members were able to complete the march by relying on the support of each other.
“It was definitely the wingman concept,” said Barone. “There were a few times where we almost called it quits, but we definitely pushed through.”
At one point, one of the team member’s legs cramped so badly that he could not walk, and the medical staff came to assist.
“There were medical people surrounding him,” said Mainous. “He wouldn't let them touch him because if they did, he would be disqualified. So he was down for about 30 minutes before he got back up and limped the rest of the way. That was mile 22, and we still had four miles to go. We all saw him doing everything he could to finish, and that's why I truly believe we were able to cross the finish line.”
Although challenging, the members were able to complete the march by relying on the support of each other.
“It was definitely the wingman concept,” said Barone. “There were a few times where we almost called it quits, but we definitely pushed through.”
The memorial march is conducted in honor of service members who defended the Philippine Island during WWII, sacrificing their freedom, health, and in many cases, their lives.
After the April 9, 1942 U.S. surrender of the Bataan Peninsula on the main Philippine Island of Luzon to the Japanese, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to march 65 miles to their POW camp
“The reason why I wanted to go was the red, white and blue. I love this country and it’s my way of saying thank you and keeping their spirit alive,” Kelley said. “We should never forget what happened in the past. It’s really just a small way for me to say thank you for your service and I wanted to be a part of that.”
The team would like to challenge other members of the 178th Wing to consider participating and start training for the next march. They are looking to form more than one team for next year. The event will be held on Sunday March 18, 2018.