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John Playter Rotary Park
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After 64 years, the VERY LAST convention of the AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR, NEW MEXICO CHAPTER (BATAAN VETERANS ORGANIZATION), was held June 5 & 6, 2010 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

 

Origins of the BVO

KOB-TV News Story

Convention Photos

When the Japanese bombed Clark Field, Philippine Islands, on December 8, 1941 — December 7th in the US — just hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, New Mexico’s 200th Coast Artillery (Anti-aircraft) was the “first to fire” on the enemy. That night, in order to provide anti-aircraft protection for Manila, the Regiment was split, forming the 515th Coast Artillery, the first battle-born unit of World War II.

 

Starving and diseased, the men held out for four months against an overwhelming enemy until Bataan was surrendered on April 9, 1942, and Corregidor on May 6, 1942. Except for the few who escaped to fight as guerrillas, the survivors of those bloody battles were to suffer 3-1/2 years of the most inhumane treatment known to mankind as prisoners of war. Eight hundred of the just over 1,800 men originally deployed would perish in prison camps or on Hell Ships.

 

In 1943, while the men were suffering as prisoners of war, the City of Albuquerque vowed to build a Memorial to New Mexico’s 200th and 515th Coast Artillery (Anti-aircraft) units.

 

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The Bataan Memorial was dedicated on April 7, 2002 because of the hard work, persistence, and cooperation of many individuals and organizations. The Bataan Veterans Organization, Albuquerque Chapter, never forgot the City’s promise. Leo Padilla, Agapito Silva, William Overmier and Ernest Montoya, survivors of Bataan and Corregidor and slave labor camps in Japan and Manchuria, for many years lobbied the City of Albuquerque and some State legislators for the Memorial. They persevered against many adversities, never losing sight of their dream of having their and their comrades’ contribution to freedom be remembered by generations of New Mexicans to come.

VOICEOVER: ERNEST MONTOYA

515th Coast Artillery (AA) [APR 2007]

“If you wonder why you dismount at least a mile before encamping; why you walk and cool your horses, and groom and feed them first — before you eat or rest — you will understand the great reliance we place on one another. To make us a unit. We care for each other.”

 

— Col. Charles G. Sage to “raw recruits” of the 111th Cavalry (before the conversion to anti-aircraft) as remembered by Stephan H. Alex, 200th Coast Artillery (AA).

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL EFFORTS - PLEASE SUPPORT!

Recalling the surrender of Bataan 28 years ago, Vicente Ojinaga, Manuel A. Armijo, Agapito Silva and Mike Pulice yesterday replaced the Stars and Stripes with a symbolic white flag for one day at the Bataan Memorial on Don Gaspar. The annual commemoration was begun in 1953 by veterans of the Bataan Death March and 3-1/2 years in Japanese POW camps. (Photo by Bill Dunning)

WM. BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, FORT BLISS, TX — OCT. 8, 1944 — Left to right: Mrs. Carl F. Whittaker, wife of President of BRO; Sgt. Howard T. Chrisco, former member of the 200th C.A., who escaped from the Philippines; Pvt. Donald Whitmer, son of Mrs. Florence Whitmer, President of the BRO of Illinois, who had just returned from two years in the Aleutians and brother of Robert Whitmer, prisoner of the Japanese, and Mrs. P. W. McCahon, wife of the Secretary of BRO.

APR. 5, 2008 — Albuquerque Mayor, Martin J. Chávez, recognizes ‘Day of Surrender’ Commemoration in Bataan Memorial Park and all over the City of Albuquerque. Click here.

Japanese Ambassador, Ichiro Fujisaki, apologizes for treatment of prisoners of war to Survivors gathered in San Antonio, Texas for the very last American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Convention May 30, 2009.

 

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JUL. 28, 2010

 

Rep. Mike Honda [CA-15] Introduces H.RES.1567

 

Welcoming and commending the Government of Japan for extending an official apology to all United States former prisoners of war from the Pacific War and moving forward in planning to invite surviving members to Japan.

 

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OCT 30, 2009 — The 515th Coast Artillery's legacy unit, the 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, currently deployed in Iraq, has honored their heritage with the dedication of Bataan Memorial Park in Mosul, Iraq. Click here for story.

NOV. 16, 2009 — The City of Albuquerque, New Mexico's Parks and Recreation Department signed the first of its kind in the City, a Management Plan for Bataan Memorial Park, prepared with the active participation of State's Historic Preservation Division and the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation of New Mexico, Inc., as well as the Summit Park Neighborhood Association.

AUG 28, 2009 — A photo oft described as a Bataan Death March photo, which the BCMFofNM veterans believe to be a photo of a burial detail at Camp O'Donnell, and which this web site has for years featured in the our History/Timeline in Photos section with that note, is the subject of a recent article by Charles Brunt of the Albuquerque Journal. Click here for story and video.

 

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MAR. 18, 2010

 

AP Corrects Caption to Reflect Soldiers' Memory

 

History Corrected (ABQ Journal)

 

Chilling, but It's Not the Bataan Death March (NY Times)

MAR. 21, 2010 — Over 5,700 people participated the 21st annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, including Wounded Warriors Project entrants.

 

Joanna Sieberg made the march for the 10th time to honor her father, Carlsbad, New Mexico's last living survivor, Charlie James.

 

Over 120 people participated in the inaugural Bataan Memorial March in Kosovo at Camp Bondsteel.

 

85 US forces and civilians participate in inaugural Memorial Bataan Death March sponsored by Task Force 515 at Camp Bucca, Iraq.

 

The City of Brownsville, Texas and representatives of the Filipino American Association held an inaugural Bataan Memorial Death March Walk. Among the participants were family members of the 200th Coast Artillery's Plutarco Garza.

 

“My uncle would tell us that they would feed them one ball of rice a day if they fed them at all.”

Cheasebro Receives New Mexico Press Women's Award — 1st place award in History category for Bataan survivors article. Click here for story.

For news stories related to POWs of Japan, follow regularly, postings at US JAPAN DIALOG ON POWS Click on the “NEWS” link.

Governor Richardson proclaims April 9, 2010 BATAAN REMEMBRANCE DAY throughout the State of New Mexico.
 

After undergoing several months of renovation, the Bataan Memorial Military Museum & Library celebrated it's Grand Re-Opening and Re-Dedication following the Bataan Memorial Ceremony in Santa Fe.

 

The “Box” seen in the news video.

Before the Albuquerque Bataan Memorial Ceremony, April 10, 2010, Deana McGuffin presented BrigGEN Fox, Deputy Adjutant NMNG, with her one of her relative Durward Wright's medals. Destination: the Bataan Memorial Military Museum & Library in Santa Fe, New Mexico.