Participants marched in honor of Army Sergeant First Class Clarence G. Zealor
Big Idea
- Nearly 80 ROTC and Community members marched in recognition of the original soldiers in the Bataan Death March
- They marched in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Clarence G. Zealor, Mary Mallory's father
- Mary Mallory is the Chair of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors
- It took those that marched between 7 1/2 and 9 hours to complete the 26.2 miles.
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The Bataan Memorial Death March was an honor and a challenge
Nearly 80 Embry Riddle ROTC students and community members joined together on Saturday to take part in a virtual Bataan Memorial Death March.
This annual event normally takes place at the White Sands Missile Range. It 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.
This year, the event was held virtually, in locations across the country. The Prescott March honored Supervisor Chair Mary Mallory's father, Army Sergeant First Class Clarence G. Zealor, a WWII POW/Bataan Death March Survivor. Mallory shared her memories of finding her dad's journal.
Mary Mallory, and Prescott Mayor Phil Goode were on hand to wish the participants well as they set out on their 26.2 mile march, many carrying rucksacks weighing 35 pounds.
Commander Scott Jackson, from the Embry Riddle army ROTC program at Embry Riddle helped organize the event, along with Pat Kuykendall and John Markham, sponsors and supporters with Team RWB. According to Kuykendall, who has participated in this event for many years, the participants started returning after about 7 hours, with the last few getting in after 9 ½ hours.
No major injuries were reported, other than a few blisters.
