 Brainerd soldiers who were part of the Baton Death March in World War II were honored in Brainerd this past weekend as part of a Prisoners of War Missing an Action event. 500 soldiers and civilians participated in the 21st annual Baton Memorial Death March on Saturday and ran either a half or full marathon. 62 American flags were in formation honoring the 33 Brainerd soldiers lost in the Baton Death March and the 29 soldiers who returned home. On hand was 99-year-old Walt Stratka who is the last surviving member who participated in the Baton Death March in the Baton Peninsula of the Philippines. It represents the fact that, you know, the motto is lived and we have the premise of what I spoke about was it's our deeds not not the words and remember Baton never forget is our motto as a battalion and what that means is that it's not just words we speak mentally but we back them up with deeds by setting up events like this. Well, it brings back a lot of memories, not good ones, but it'll have to come. The event was sponsored by the 194th Regiment which honors Julius St. John Knudsen who remains missing in action since the Baton Death March in 1942. National POW MIA Day is later this week on September 15th. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.