On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. The Americans were Army, Army Air Corps, Navy and Marines. Among those seized were members of the 200^th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard.

They were marched for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles. Thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of a prisoner of war camp. Others were wounded or killed when unmarked enemy ships transporting prisoners of war to Japan were sunk by U.S. air and naval forces.

We are privileged to have as special guests two Bataan Death March survivors that will attend the 2011 Military Appreciation Weekend event.  These two special guests are William Overmier and Valdemar de Herrera.  Overmier and Herrera are to be honored at the MAW banquet Saturday night.