ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Bataan Corregidor Foundation of New Mexico and the New Mexico National Guard hosted the 77th annual ceremony commemorating the Fall of Bataan at the Bataan Memorial Park here April 6. Park-goers looked on as veterans, families, and service members gathered to recognize the service and sacrifice of the New Mexicans who fought to defend Bataan and Corregidor, surrendering only when dangerously depleted of supplies on April 9, 1942. The ceremony calls attention to the events of that day by highlighting the legacy of Bataan veterans and their steadfast sense of duty. This year William Overmier, the only Bataan survivor who attended the event, raised and lowered the symbolic white flag of surrender. It replaced a 48-star flag, accurate to the one that would have been lowered on the day of surrender. His wife, Ann Overmier, laid a wreath upon the memorial there in recognition of the Bataan heroes who have fallen. “There is no group of Americans that know more about the cost of freedom than those men who survived the Bataan Death March, and then survived the hell ships and prisoner of war camps,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Nava, the adjutant general of New Mexico, who presided over the ceremony. “We need to thank them and the families who support them.” The ceremony also included the playing of taps, a three-volley salute, the playing of Amazing Grace on bagpipes, and a roll call for the fallen Bataan heroes. “The New Mexico National Guard will never forget the Battling Bastards of Bataan, our brave soldiers of the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery regiments,” Nava said. “Help me to keep their memory alive and continue this tradition next year.” ]]>
