November 5, 2000
    Dear Father Bob Phillips,

    I'm happy to make your acquaintance.   I served in the Philippines from 1980-1984 as a Navy Journalist.   While stationed at Clark Air Base, working for the Far East Network military television station, I discovered the heroism and sadness of the Bataan story.   I was fortunate to be able to write and co-produce a series of military documentaries that chronicled the war in the Philippines and the Death March which took so many lives.   I had the pleasure and distinct honor of interviewing many of the Filipino soldiers who served and fought during that time.   Their stories reverberate through me still to this day.

    The siege of Bataan and the Death March became an obsession for me then, and remains with me today.   I have reached a crossroads of sorts with this project.   I am proud to say that my friend and colleague in this is Dave Beauvais.   You may know of him.   He lives in Massachusetts and has contacted many of the defenders and has actively pursued producing a series of documentaries that he and I would like to collaborate on and see to fruition.

    I live in Michigan and would love to be in contact with you to pursue this project.   We want to tell your story, like it has never been told before.   I want the World to know it, respect it and appreciate it.   Please contact me through my email or you can call me at home or drop me a line.

    Rene Blatte
    2567 Stoodleigh
    Rochester Hills, MI 48309
    Phone:  (248) 375-1172

    At some point, I want to write a major motion picture screenplay about this.   Not because I want to make money but rather to tell the truth, the truth about a bunch of men and women, who went to far away place and became heroes.   I will never forget the words of General MacArthur upon his return to Corregidor ..... "Corregidor needs no comment from me.   It has sounded its own story from the mouth of its own guns.   But .... through the bloody haze of its last reverberating shot, I shall always seem to see a vision, of grim, gaunt men, still .... unafraid."

    I....I want to cry when I hear that.
    God Bless you all.
    Sincerely,
    Rene

    Rene Blatte
    Manager Broadcast Communications
    Kmart News Network
    Phone: (248) 643-1386
    Rblatte@kmart.com