New York National Guard Soldier Completes 26-Mile Bataan Memorial Death March

Latham, NY (05/05/2017) — For the third year in a row, a New York Army National Guard Soldier and Iraq war veteran completed the 26-mile Bataan Memorial Death March across the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico March 19.

Sgt. 1st Class Walter Meshenberg, of Mastic Beach, N.Y., was one of 7,208 people who took part in the march at White Sands Missile Range on March, 19. Held annually since 1990, the march is conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.

Meshenberg, 50, is cancer survivor. He completed the course in 12 hours and 17 minutes. He belongs to the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

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Participants step off for the Bataan Memorial March

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