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Monday, April 9, 2018:
The annual Fall of Bataan Wreath Laying Ceremony was
held at the Brainerd National Guard Armory. An Honor Guard from the Brainerd American Legion, VFW, and Crow Wing County DAV was there to present the flag. |
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Several
hundred people attended, of which only 1/4 are shown in this photo.
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Some 64 men left Brainerd in 1941 to defend the
Philippines against Japanese aggression in Asia. They ran out of food, ammunition, and medical supplies in their heroic fight. There was no resupply. Three were killed in action, 29 died in the brutal 60+ mile Bataan Death March where there was no food or water. Conditions weren't much better when the soldiers were imprisoned and then used as slave labor. Only 29 survived World War II. This event commemorates their sacrifices in the hands of the Japanese. The group photo of brave men on the right stares back at us from February 1941. |
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Speeches
detailed the horrific story of the 194th Regiment's fight against overwhelming
numbers of Japanese invaders. |
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A wreath was placed by Walt Straka of Brainerd, the
last Bataan Death March survivor from the area. |
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The Honor Guard gave a rifle salute. |
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Marti
Judd was there to play Taps. The mournful sound echoed throughout the
facility. |
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Dog
tags with the names of the 29 who died were placed on a ceremonial sword. |
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They were there for everyone to see....a reminder of
the missing men. |
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Some of the Honor Guard gathered at a table with a
member of the 194th to talk about their experiences. |
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Yes, it was a day to talk about military experiences
and heal the wounds of war. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=194th regiment bataan remembered There is an annual Bataan Memorial March. See: http://gilbertlodge.com/2017/09-09a-17-bataan.html |
Quote of the day:
Remember Bataan. Mark
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Questions, Comments? Email Mark Persons teki@mwpersons.com |
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More about Gilbert Lodge |
page last edited 04/27/2018
