WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. — The Panther Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Team, including Army Chaplain Father (Capt.) Lukasz Willenberg (second from left in top photo), won first place at the Bataan Memorial Death March, held on March 19. Father Willenberg previously served as assistant pastor at St. Luke Parish, Barrington, before being assigned to a special apostolate in the Archdiocese for Military Services on May 17, 2013.
The Bataan Memorial Death March is a difficult 26.2-mile march through the high desert terrain of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, completed in recognition of the POW Filipinos and U.S. Armed Forces that in 1942 were forced by the Imperial Japanese Army to march 65 miles through the jungles of the Philippines while they were deprived of food, water and medical needs. Thousands died and those who survived had to live through hardship of the Japanese camps where they were forced to settle at the end of the march.
The team competed in and won the co-ed military heavy division which required that all members carry a 35-pound rucksack throughout the course. Their finishing time of 6:26:57 was more than 30 minutes faster than the second place team in their division.
“I will be bringing so many prayers, intentions and people with me and making it a Lenten Penance,” said Father Willenberg prior to his march.
Members of the winning team include Capt. Kristen Griest, Capt. Shaye Haver, Sgt. Patricia O'Toole, Capt. Matthew Risenmay and Chaplain (Capt.) Lukasz Willenberg.
