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Holloman officer participates in Bataan Memorial Death March

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Autumn Vogt
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
She stopped, her hazel eyes lowering to her feet. Her heels felt like they were being rubbed by sandpaper in her worn down boots. She had marched 18 miles already and felt determined to complete the marathon.

Taking off her boot, she saw a thin worn down bubble of skin. Her feet were blistering. She looked around for the medic station and trudged over to begin receiving treatment. After an hour of assistance from two doctors, she got up and began treading along again.

The Bataan Memorial Death March was something she needed to accomplish.

Maj. Brianne Rahn, 49th Wing Staff Judge Advocate deputy, participated in her first full-marathon Bataan Memorial Death March, March 17, 2019, on White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

“I’ve done four marathons and a dozen or so halves, but I’ve never done anything in uniform (and I’ve) never done anything in that amount of sand,” said Rahn. “I’ve wanted to do this for three years. You see those people who are like, ‘my dad did this every year and he passed away’, this means so much to so many different people.”

This year, Rahn’s goal is to run approximately 25 miles each week – something she increased in preparation for the march. Running comes easy to her and the competitive spirit within herself has pushed her to compete in multiple half marathons and a full each year.

The 2019 BMDM was not the first time Rahn marched the route. With her duties occupying much of her time, she had not been able to do the full marathon until now.

“Two years ago I did the honorary march, which is 14.2 (miles),” said Rahn. “I was going to do the full but I got sucked into a (temporary duty) that day so I had enough time to fit in the 14 miles, go home, shower and hop on a plane to Florida.”

Rahn feels a sense of accomplishment marching a fraction of what the real survivors went through. Remembering the approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops that marched 65 miles pushed her to complete the marathon.

“I know there is going to be an end,” said Rahn. “I know after 26.2 miles I will be done, I know my fate. I’m going to get in my car, I will be stinky as hell but I’ll go home to my bed and shower. Those guys marched a lot longer, they didn’t know if they were going to survive. I know I’m about to do (the Bataan) so I trained (for it), they got captured and they had to do it.”

Remembrance was a key factor in Rahn’s decision to march.

“The biggest thing is remembering the history,” said Rahn. “Honoring the guys who survived this, who are fighting for our country. Remembering what they did, what they went through.”