As an aside it is alleged that 5% of the remaining WWII Vets live in West Virginia to include as most should know our very own, the Honorable Woody Williams who is said to be only one of six WWII Medal Of Honor Awardees still living. There are approximately 620,000 WWII survivors as of the end of 2016. So we would have roughly 31,000 here.
So I take my hat off to that old soldier Melvin Boni (SIC), who was one of the below hero's of the day.
Aerotech News & Review
Veterans March 22, 2017
Staff Sgt. Ken Scar
White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
More than 7,000 people gathered here in the early-morning hours Sunday to participate in an 8.5-mile walk in observance of the 75th anniversary of World War II’s infamous Bataan Death March.
Once again, Ben Skardon, a retired Army colonel, was the oldest participant and the only living survivor of the Bataan Death March to walk in the event.
Skardon, 99, walked through the unforgiving New Mexico desert as temperatures reached 90 degrees, refusing to quit until he reached the same distance he had covered in his previous nine marches.
Skardon is a beloved alumnus and professor emeritus of Clemson University in South Carolina, which meant Clemson orange was the color of choice for the 64 members of “Ben’s brigade” — his die-hard support group of friends, family, former students and relatives of his fellow prisoners of war.
History of the march
The Bataan Memorial Death March event honors a special group of World War II heroes responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines.
On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino troops were forced to surrender to Japanese forces. The U.S. service members were soldiers, sailors, airmen from the Army Air Corps, and Marines. Among the surrendering troops were large numbers of the New Mexico National Guard’s 200th Coast Artillery — the reason the memorial march is held in New Mexico.
Often overlooked are the four months of fierce fighting that took place before the American and Filipino forces surrendered. Skardon earned two Silver Stars and four Bronze Stars during that short time span. Again, I admit I could not come close to being in his league as I did not those who I had the honor to serve with in my time.
After their surrender, the troops were force-marched 65 miles to confinement camps throughout the Philippines. They were deprived of food, water and medical care. About 10,000 men died on the march, while thousands of others died in the camps. Those who survived weren’t freed until 1945.
This was Skardon’s 10th, and he insists, not his last time walking in the march here, which marks its 28th year.
Skardon said he considers it a personal pilgrimage to participate in the walk. He believes it’s his obligation to attend every year and walk with the thousands of others who come to honor his brothers-in-arms who didn’t survive the Bataan Death March or the years of confinement that followed.
And the above story plus the knowledge of Mr. Boni and what he went through is what started my love for Vets which has not wavered for one day in 60 years or so? It is why I am so contemptuous of Mr. Rapp and Ms. Smith who proclaim their Patriotism because their Fathers and Brothers served in their day. One can NOT wear the courage and sacrifice of one who has served while never serving themselves; or if only serving themselves.
Yes, they can and should be proud of the Service of their Relatives. We all should be........... I know I am proud of their Service although I have never met nor shall ever meet them. But one can not wear the Service of others if they have never worn a Military Uniform.
That is more of why I hold them in such massive disgust for drooling over all the "Tax Dollars" that would come into Vienna from having the Gold Star Memorial in the lower part of the Johns Manville property. Those families will and are the closest anyone can come to having served while maybe never wearing a Uniform because of their Supreme loss to God and Country.
Colonel Skardon is just one nationwide of less than 1,000 Bataan & Corregidor survivors And I will point out that there may well be some more in places like the Philippines? After all, it for them we fought too, as they did with us. There are, that we know of, two men who made the Death March, one who was surrendered on Corregidor, and one who was captured at Java, who were attached to other units, not the 200th or 515th, living in New Mexico today. God Bless these men, one and all.
Was a bit unnerving to see the shenanigans by the WV Senate to lower sales tax from 6 to 5%; BUT put a 3% on food. That is almost criminal to do that too people. This State continues to go backwards. Don't they realize that is one thing real businesses looking to go somewhere to set up new locations are going to look at? This damn place is self destructive. Instead do a 2% luxury tax on those who need new cars and so on every few years. Anything over $35k as an example. Would for sure get some of the Government Employees both Elected and Appointed who have or are getting the big raises. Legislature is even sneaking in a $808 across the board increase for the Teachers. 'ne'er nuff said'