By Alexandra Napoli
Staff Writer
Walking 26.2 miles through the desert of White Sands Missile Range, N.M. does not seem to be an easy feat. Yet 5,900 people participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March every year. Three of these 5,900 people happen to be Bona’s alumni Richard Trietley, ‘86, his wife Michele, ‘88, and his old roommate John Santini, ‘86.
During World War II, soldiers stationed in the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the defense forts of the Philippines faced horrifying conditions including malaria infestations, inadequate rations and no medical care, according to the Bataan Memorial Death March website. After dealing with these conditions for so long, it came to an end on April 9, 1942 — unfortunately for the worse.
Japanese forces captured tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers. Taken as prisoners of war, these heroes were forced to march 65 miles through the Philippine jungle for six days. The heat was unbearable and didn’t have food or water. Many of the soldiers died along the way, or were murdered for lagging behind. The survivors of the march then encountered the hardships of prisoner of war camps.
Today, 6,000 people participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March honor these soldiers every year. March 17 marked its 24th year. This was Trietley’s third time overcoming the grueling challenge. But for him, the march was more than a challenge.
“I served in the Army for 22 years and I just retired five years ago,” Trietley said. “So this meant a lot to me. The more I learned about Bataan and what these guys went through, the more I wanted to honor them.”
Only a few of the veterans who survived Bataan are still alive today. Many of them come back to the Bataan Memorial Death March and share their stories with the 6,000 marchers.
“It’s really cool because you have the opportunity to meet and speak with the veterans who are in their 90s,” Trietley said. “They even sit and watch everyone while they are walking. It’s very inspiring.”
Trietley said the veterans only added to the exciting and inspirational atmosphere. “We always say it’s great because you get to go through this experience with 6,000 of your closest friends,” Trietley said. “Everybody’s in it together. To see today’s heroes from Iraq is so powerful. People are marching with prosthetic legs and arms — it brought me so much hope.”
Trietley, his wife and Santini chose to sleep in the base’s gym on cots two days prior to make the experience even more meaningful. Veterans give presentations and movies are shown to educate the marchers for those two days. Trietley said it made him realize why he was doing it and understand what the soldiers went through.
During these two days, a rush of determination flooded over the marchers as they anticipated the 26.2 miles they would soon have to face. The two hours before the march were filled with motivational speeches from the veterans and cheering from the marchers. They were no longer individuals walking for themselves — they were one movement, working to commemorate the soldiers that served 70 years before.
Trietley described the first two hours of the march as enthusiastic and hopeful.
“But then reality starts to set in and you realize you have six hours to go,” Trietley said. “Everyone starts to get hungry and thirsty. You look up and see a hill that goes on for four miles, and you can’t go back.”
Once the alumni reached the end, the atmosphere took a turn for the better. As Trietley described it, it was all downhill from there.
“The last stretch is the worst,” he said. “They put you in deep sand, and the wind is blowing in your face. What keeps you going is that you know you’re almost done.”
The alumni had finished and could not have felt more accomplished.
“It’s not easy, but you know you can do it,” Trietley said.
Completing 26.2 miles in 80-degree weather could not have been done without the passion Trietley has for the cause and the people around him.
“You feel great when it’s over,” Trietley said. “And it’s a chance to get together with old friends. It was also very special that my wife joined me. We had been training for months, and it means a lot.”
Being retired from the Army, and having the thirst for adventure, Trietley said he is looking forward to marching again in two years. He will be 50 years old and thinks of it as a milestone.
“I’m always looking for that challenge — physical and mental,” Trietley said. “Something to keep me focused.”
For the Bona alumni, the Bataan Memorial Death March was more than a physical challenge. It was mental and emotional.
“I’m so inspired by what these people went through,” Trietley said. “And for me, this is a way to honor the men who served before us.”
