Newburgh resident Patricia Puller, a member of the NY Air National Guard, completes 26.2-mile Bataan Death March Marathon for fourth time

Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Pullar, who has served in Air Guard and active Air Force for 32 years, is a senior enlisted leader in 105th Airlift Wing

Newburgh, New York (03/27/2024) — New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Pullar, a Newburgh resident, completed the annual 26.2 mile Bataan Memorial Death March, held annually at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, for the fourth time on March 16.

The annual marathon, hosted for the past 34 years by the New Mexico National Guard, commemorates the Bataan Death March in the Philippines in April of 1942.

Between April 9 and April 15 over 70,000 American and Filipino Soldiers, who had surrendered after defending the Bataan Peninsula on the Island of Luzon against a Japanese invasion force, were marched 65 miles to a prison camp with little food and water, while being abused by their captors.

More than 10,000 soldiers, mostly Filipino's, died. Civilians who tried to aid the captured men were also killed by the Japanese.

The Soldiers of two New Mexico National Guard units were among those who took part in the march.

Pullar took part in the marathon-the route of which includes significant shifts in elevation and loose, sandy terrains-three times previously in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Pullar said she decided to sign up for this year's event after setting a goal to push herself physically and cultivate her fitness. What started as a routine workout schedule evolved into rigorous strength and cardio training for a marathon, she hadn't done in 16 years.

Pullar, who has served in the active Air Force and the Air National Guard for 32 years, is the senior enlisted leader for the 105th Airlift Wing's Operations Group.

She was one of over 5,000 racers to participate in the 35th annual race this year.

"It's very emotional," Pullar recalled.

"Especially when you cross the finish line, because you're only doing a small portion of what the actual Bataan Death Marchers did. It makes you think about the service they were providing to their country and the whole meaning of wearing the uniform," she said.

While this was her fourth time at the marathon, this was her first time going without anyone she knew, she said. So, she had to push herself physically and mentally without her usual support network, Pullar explained.

On the day of the race, Pullar said, her top priorities were ensuring she had enough sustenance to replenish her energy and enough protection around her feet to endure the hike.

This was especially difficult as she competed in a military category, requiring her to wear her full Air Force uniform through the entire march- including the boots, she said.

In addition to her uniform, Pullar carried her food and drinks in a Camelback decorated with patches from the 105th Airlift Wing, reminding her of the Airmen that motivate her as a senior enlisted leader.

"I had the Wing patch and my two squadron patches, the Operations Support Squadron and the 137th Airlift Squadron," Pullar said.

"I wanted to show some unit pride and gratitude for our folks working hard here at home, and for those serving abroad who voluntarily stepped away from their lives and families for their nation," she added.

Once she was physically prepared for the march, the rest of the challenge was pure resilience, Pullar said.

"It's very much mental," she explained. "But if you've made up your mind that you're not going to stop and that you're going to cross the finish line, then you will cross the finish line. It might hurt, it might not look pretty, but you're going to do it."

The course itself includes significant shifts in elevation and loose, sandy terrains. Beginning at a roughly 4,000-foot elevation, racers climb to an approximate 5,500-foot elevation by the halfway mark. They then descend the small mountain known as Mineral Hill to be greeted by the "Sand Pit", a deep, sandy path about a mile long.

Pullar recalled listening to music as she paced herself up the roughly 6-mile hike of Mineral Hill. After reaching the peak and continuing into the second half of the march, she anticipated the infamous Sand Pit she had trudged through 16 years prior.

Pullar did not have to endure this challenge alone, however. Before reaching the sandy plains, she said, she befriended a Space Force captain used conversation and humor to motivate them both to the finish line.

"The Sand Pit was pretty rough and it slowed us down a lot," she said. "[But] it helped pass the time to just have somebody to talk to, so I was really thankful for that."

Having completed the course four times, Pullar said she encourages others to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March as an opportunity to challenge themselves and do something outside their comfort zone.

She explained she was not only impacted by the test of her physical and mental limits, but also inspired by what she and those around her were able to accomplish.

"I think it helps to know that when I really want to do something, I believe in it and I have enough faith in myself to complete it, I'll get it done. I'll get I'll get through it. No matter what it is," Puller said.

Story by Senior Airman Rebekah Wilson

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