Colorado State University–Pueblo student veterans sponsor Memorial March Oct. 7

PUEBLO – Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Student Veterans of America (SVA) will host the inaugural Bataan Memorial March beginning at 9:04 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, beginning at Fountain Plaza. Participants can complete either a 5k walk/run or a 13.1-mile march with members of SVA.

The Bataan March pays tribute to the U.S. surrender of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, on April 9, 1942. This led to approximately 75,000 U.S. and Filipino troops being taken prisoner by Japanese forces. They marched in intense heat and were subjected to horrible treatment by Japanese guards. Thousands perished in what became known as the Bataan Death March.

According to James Edwards, the President of SVA, Greg York was the event coordinator and came up with the idea. “From there we had a meeting where the rest of the SVA members gave their input,” Edwards said.

Participants are encouraged to arrive at 7 a.m. the day of the event to check in and register as well as purchase tickets. Tickets are $25 per person or $100 for a team of five. Proceeds will benefit the CSU-Pueblo Student Veterans of America Scholarship Fund. Other incentives to participate include free football tickets to the day’s Homecoming game among other prizes. The first 100 people to sign up for the event will receive a t-Shirt and a commemorative glass. All participants will get a free ticket to the Homecoming football game that evening at 6 p.m. versus Adams State. More information may be found on Eventbrite.com

Participants also will meet E.J. Snyder, a decorated Army combat veteran known for his appearances on the TV show Naked and Afraid, as he will serve as grand marshal of the event. Snyder has 25 years of military service, serving Ranger positions in Infantry and Airborne units.

Snyder will speak on leadership at a discussion beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in Hoag Recital Hall that is free to all CSU-Pueblo students with ID or $10 per person for non-students. A question and answer session will follow his presentation.

“All the money raised will be used to raise a scholarship for veterans at CSU-Pueblo,” Edwards said. “Post-race festivities in the parking area will include a U.S. Army National Asset, a trailer that includes an interactive platform which allows participants to drive a Humvee in a real world simulation. SVA also has helped coordinate a parachuting team that land on the football field with the game ball.”