About 10 months ago The Battling Bastards of Bataan, BBB, led by Major Richard Gordon, USA Retired, decided to build a Memorial to these American Military men.   Without ANY help from our government we obtained permission from the Filipino government to do this. Without any outside help from any other veterans/civic organizations the BBB raised the necessary funds to accomplish this.   Our Man in Manila, Jim Litton, put in thousands of hours overseeing the construction, the materials, researching, etc.   Without Jim, our Memorial would not be. Without Dick’s dedication and devotion to this and the BBB neither would our Memorial be. Last, but not least, without the donations by a relatively few, we might not have our Memorial.

At a very special ceremony, attended by a large crowd, on the morning of 7 April 2000 the Memorial was unveiled.   The Cement Cross replica, (the original now rests at the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville, GA), was unveiled by Major Richard Gordon and Sgt. Phil Coon, both Death March survivors and on the detail that built the original Cement Cross, a story within itself.   Tears flowed freely.

Maj. Richard Gordon and Phil Coon Uncovering the Cross

Later in the Program the Wall was unveiled by CMS Tillman Rutledge, MSgt Leroy Becraft, SSgt Oliver Allen and Sgt. Humphrey O’Leary, all also Death March Survivors.   Again, tears flowed freely.   The Wall of Remembrance contains almost 1600 names, two poems, the Story of the Cement Cross, short remarks by Major General King and an acknowledgment to Dick that he did not know about.

The Monument Wall Uncovered for the First Time.

A very emotional occasion but soul satisfying.   It was all filmed by TV Crews from the United Kingdom, Carlton TV and BBC, and many reporters, none from the US!

We also attended he yearly National Day of Valor and Honor at Mt. Samat, called ARAW NG KAGITINGAN, attended by thousands.   Mt. Samat was the last organized engagement by my US 31st Infantry Polar Bears. This time I got to the top!

I spent almost three weeks in the Philippines (Luzon).   This letter is also about the Filipino people. We four survivors from the US were treated royally.   We attended several ceremonies during National Veterans Week.   I spoke at Lamoa in place of Dick who had lost his voice but what a great talk he gave at O’Donnell.

Col. Estrada, National Commander
of the Philippine Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor,
Placing their Organization's Pin, on Tillman Rutledge

This was a memorable trip, very emotional at times, but I knew it would be, cleansing, closure, satisfying and entertaining.   I got to visit the sites of every POW Camp I was in, in the Philippines, O'Donnell, on the actual grounds, with thoughts pouring through my mind as to what I/We went through there, with tears running freely down my face, remembering my Buddies I lost there, and how, I, also nearly did not survive O’Donnell.   Bilibid Prison, the New and the old.   Lipa, and was given a tour of most of the base.   Cabanatuan and remembering the raw surgery I had there and more friends, especially J.B., again much emotion.   Las Pinas site, found by Fred’s relatives for me! Yes, a trip worth more than what it cost in dollars and hard to adequately express in words my feelings.   I thank God for the opportunity, the means and I did not go alone.

Tillman Pointing to a Sign on the Wall of a Church, in Las Pinas,
Which States this was the Site Where the Japanese Held American POWs.

The second purpose is to tell the Filipino people everywhere but especially here in San Antonio - Mahal NA Mahal Kita – Mabuhay!

Tillman J. Rutledge
CMS USAF Ret.
9509 Cool Brook
San Antonio, TX 78250-3440
Ph:Fax: (210) 684-7550