Campus Connection

Esprit de corps means a feeling of loyalty, enthusiasm and devotion to a group. It’s what four, U.S. Army ROTC Cadets from UW-La Crosse and their battalion commander felt after completing a marathon — each with 45 pounds strapped on his or her back. The marathon was part of the 25th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on Sunday, March 23. All four completed the event with Lt. Col. James Hill, ROTC Eagle Battalion commander. Hill calls the event not only physically and mentally challenging, but also a great opportunity for team building. The Bataan Memorial Death March honors a group of World War II heroes who were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines. They fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on rations with little or no medical help. On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. They were marched 80 miles for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles without any food or water. Thousands died or were killed. Those who survived faced the hardships of a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Represented at the event were several WW II Bataan Death March survivors and some of their descendants. In addition, members of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves and Wounded Warriors were present. Also, service members from countries such as Germany, Canada, Slovenia, Australia and the United Kingdom participated. Congratulations to Eagle Battalion participants who successfully completed the challenge: Kyle Kennedy, Ron Zaleski, Tyler Betley, Erin Schneider and Lt. Col. James Hill.