Bataan veterans deserve honor for sacrifices

They are few, and they are in the twilight of their lives.

They are survivors of World War II’s battle for Bataan and its infamous Death March.

There are 19 veterans of the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery who are still alive. They are at least in their mid-90s, and one, Tony Reyna of Taos Pueblo, is 100.

Now, before these American servicemen are gone, there is an initiative in Congress to get them a special recognition they and their fellow soldiers who have already passed on so richly deserve for their service.

New Mexico provided the largest single contingent of Bataan servicemen. The New Mexican Hispanic Culture Preservation League is pushing for Congress to honor the troops who defended Bataan, living or dead, with the Congressional Gold Medal.

The effort has the support of Democratic Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, who earlier this month introduced a bill in the Senate that would grant them the medal. Earlier this year, Republican Rep. David McKinley of West Virginia introduced a bill in the House that would establish the award for the Bataan veterans and also those from other regional islands.

As Udall put it, “Their story is one of tremendous personal sacrifice and patriotic duty to our nation … and the troops who fought and died for our country deserve the highest recognition.”

They do. And fellow members of Congress should make sure these bills make it to the president’s desk.

— Albuquerque Journal