Veterans families troop to New Mexico missile range in remembrance of Bataan Death March
By Jon Melegrito
On March 21, 2026, families of Filipino veterans and supporters from the community joined about 5,000 participants to honor Filipino and American soldiers who endured Bataan Death March 84 years ago.
They traveled from various locations across the United States ending up at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to commemorate the Bataan Memorial Death March (BMDM). It took them several hours to reach their destination.
The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) headed by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret) were joined by members of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society led by Paul Ruiz, USS Telesforo Trinidad Campaign led by Col. Nonie Cabana, and the Filipino Veterans Group of Las Vegas, NV, headed by Alex Pena.
A Philippine delegation led by Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office traveled from Manila for the commemorative event.
In anticipation of the record-breaking heat in the desert the BMDM full marathon course of 26 miles was cut short to 15.6 miles. More than a dozen members of the FilVetREP team marched along with active-duty service members, veterans, ROTC cadets and civilians.
“Eighty-four years ago, in the crucible of conflict, a terrible chapter in military history unfolded. A trial of unimaginable suffering. But it was also a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the human will,” remarked Col. Andrew “Drew” Morgan, U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range Senior Commander, at the opening ceremony.
This event, he continued, “is a living memorial. Every step you take today across this challenging terrain and scorching heat is a tribute. It’s an act of remembrance that gives weight and meaning to the Army values we hold dear: the personal courage to start this journey, the loyalty to our nation’s ideals, the duty you fulfill in carrying their memory and the selfless service you demonstrate by serving your community, your mission and your country.”
More than 270,000 Filipinos fought under the American flag in World War II. Many of the veterans are now deceased.
The day before the march, FilVetREP presented the Congressional Gold Medals (CGM) to the families of Private First Class Valentino Juanitas of the Philippine Scouts, Chief Petty Officer Leon San Juan Anterola of the U.S. Navy, and Private First Class Conrado V. Castroverde of Company H, 5th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts.
In his remarks, General Taguba said that the CGM ceremony is about “gaining recognition from our country, gaining respect for these soldiers, men and women alike, who endured the Bataan Death March and perished in prison camps. But what was unknown and unwritten were more stories of hardship, injustice, discrimination that thousands experienced after the war in 1945.”
Undersecretary Mapagu noted that since the first awarding of the CGM in the Philippines in 2018, a total of 1,604 Filipino veterans have received this highest civilian honor.
“Moments like these remind us that the heroes we read about in history are real people whose courage helped shape the freedoms we enjoy today,” he said.
The CGM presentation, added Col. Mozer, “is not just about remembrance – it is about connection. To the families here with us, you carry the legacy of those who endured one of the most brutal chapters in military history. Their story lives on through you. Their strength, their resilience, and their sacrifice are part of your family’s history – and now, part of our nation’s enduring legacy.”
The CGM ceremony, which is now part of the annual BMDM event in White Sands, is FilVEtREP’s 127th since Congress presented the award on Oct. 25, 2017.
Historical and educational programs
Preceding the CGM ceremony at the Post Theatre were two programs: the USS Telesforo Trinidad Commissioning and the Duty to Country.
Captain Dan Gruta, U.S. Navy Retired, explained that the USS Telesforo Trinidad (DDG-139) is the planned 89th Arleigh Burke-class (Flight III) Aegis guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy. Honored was Fireman 2nd class Telesforo Trinidad, the only Filipino in the U.S. Navy to ever be awarded the Medal of Honor. The naming of a warship after Trinidad will be a historic moment not only because he was the first Filipino sailor to have this distinguished recognition, but more importantly, it validates the commitment, distinction, and valor of thousands of Filipinos who have served faithfully and loyally for the past 120 years.
Following a video which summarizes the online education program, Duty to Country, FilVetREP Regional Director Rob Vasquez shared the project’s goal of providing multiple education resources about the untold story of the Filipino Veterans of WWII. These are available to middle and high school students, fully accessible online and free to teachers, students, and public at large.
“Teachers at middle and high schools across the country and in Hawaii will have the opportunity to learn, discuss, and discover this piece of American history. Historical and cultural institutions will be able to share this program with the public,” he said.
