San Francisco Honors Bataan Death March Victims on 82nd Anniversary

San Francisco held a solemn ceremony on Sunday to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the Bataan Death March, a tragic event during World War II where thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were forced to march over 60 miles to Japanese prison camps. The brutal march, which began on April 9, 1942, resulted in the deaths of approximately 10,000 Filipino soldiers and 650 American soldiers from starvation, dehydration, and abuse by their Japanese captors.

The commemoration took place at the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio, where a 21-gun salute was fired and taps were played to honor the fallen soldiers. Veterans, military officials, and descendants of the Bataan Death March survivors gathered to pay their respects and remember the sacrifices made by these brave men.

"We must never forget the courage and resilience displayed by the American and Filipino soldiers during one of the darkest chapters of World War II," said San Francisco Mayor London Breed in her speech at the ceremony. "Their sacrifices stand as a testament to the high price of freedom and the importance of standing together against tyranny and oppression."

Among the attendees was 98-year-old Ramon Regalado, one of the few remaining survivors of the Bataan Death March. Regalado, who was 18 years old when he was captured by the Japanese, shared his harrowing experience during the march and his time as a prisoner of war. "I lost many friends and comrades during that terrible time," Regalado said, his voice filled with emotion. "But I survived to tell their stories and ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten."

Why this matters: The Bataan Death March remains one of the most tragic events of World War II, and its legacy continues to resonate with people around the world. By honoring the victims and survivors of this atrocity, we ensure that their stories are passed down to future generations and serve as a lasting testament to the importance of peace, justice, and human rights.

The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying at the cemetery's memorial wall, which bears the names of the American soldiers who perished during the Bataan Death March. As Regalado placed a wreath at the wall, he said, "To my fallen brothers-in-arms, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. Your sacrifice will forever be etched in our hearts and in the annals of history."

Key Takeaways

• San Francisco commemorated 82nd anniversary of Bataan Death March
• Ceremony honored 10,000 Filipino and 650 American soldiers killed
• Survivor Ramon Regalado, 98, shared harrowing experience as POW
• Event emphasized importance of remembering sacrifices for freedom
• Ceremony concluded with wreath-laying at memorial wall