Battling Bastards of Bataan
"In Pursuit of Truth!"

From The Editor

Here and There

Word from the Philippines is included in some of the attached letters. It is very apparent that our memorial has been a smashing success. So much so that it is our belief the Philippine government dedicated a memorial to their dead of O'Donnell this past April with the names of over 32,000 Filipino Victims on a circular wall. The Philippine National Shrine is becoming a landmark and letters received from American visitors to the area are praising it as an accomplishment worth seeing.

This coming October a return trip to the Philippines sponsored by the Philippine Department of Tourism is on the agenda, with Military Historical Tours of Alexandria, VA running it. A tour of Bataan is included.
For those who feel that our memorials and markers are not cared for properly, we would alert you to the fact that Department of Tourism in the Philippines is now involved and realize the importance of the memorials. The above tour is strongly endorsed by the beautiful President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Secretary of Tourism, Richard J. Gordon.
 
 

As a result, memorials, Death March monuments are receiving continuous care from villagers in the areas of the memorials. We have included both a letter and photograph pertaining to this issue. Overall, the country is much more involved with its history in any time heretofore. If only the American student knew the history of Bataan as well as the Filipino student. Helping out here is the International School of Manila who contribute their time and energy to the projects along with the Boy Scout organization in the Philippines.

FAME an organization of American and Filipino women, who spearhead the drive to maintain the memorials and monuments. Ms Leslie Ann Murray is a dynamo in this effort. She is ably assisted by an old friend Ms.Edna Binkowski. Edna lives in Limay, the heart of Bataan and is more than aware of the town's historical relationship to General King's surrender site and the memorials marking that spot. She does her best to insure their care.

Also enclosed in this issue of our newsletter is a letter from the law firm of Herman, Mathis, Casey, Kitchens & Gerel, LLP. We were recently asked to support their efforts which are described in their letter. We were pleased to do so. I, personally, have grave reservations about the chances of success in this effort, but on behalf of our membership we will help in any way we can. This country will do nothing to offend the Japanese or allow anyone to do likewise. It can be truthfully said, once again, that we were abandoned in Bataan-for whatever reason-and we are being abandoned again. That will not change in our lifetime.

With that in mind we close with an excerpt from the Anthem

We are very pleased to report that we have received reservations on half of the sixty rooms allotted to the Battling Bastards of Bataans gathering at the Washington Terrace Hotel (Telephone #202-521-7125). However, we strongly urge you to make your reservations early as they are on a first come, first served basis. When the rooms are filled we must cut off any requests. Should we fail to reach the number of sixty-by December 03- we will open the room reservations to other groups interested in attending. Our fellow former POWs from Corregidor are invited to join us as there is apparently no ADBC group planning on this occasion.  (Hit this link for detailed instructions.)

We sincerely thank the following three individuals for making generous donations to our memorial fund.

Barry Beutell who has given generously of his time and money to insure the memorial continues to be the center of attraction at the Capas National Shrine (See attached letters).

Kristen Gilpatrick, WW II vet, and Rick Peterson, To honor one of our members, Alf Larson, who has written his recently released book, "Footprints in Courage: A Bataan Death March Survivors Story" who lives in Crystal, Minnesota, these gentlemen made their contribution to the fund from the sale of Alf's book. The donation was given in his honor. Thank you, very much.
(Read about Alf and his new book)

In addition, we are pleased to report the successful conclusion of the sale of our anniversary caps with the proceeds going to the same fund. (We have five such caps remaining and they will then become history as no more will be ordered).