Warren honors Korean War veterans in six-mile march

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lauren Hasinger
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Two hundred Warren members participated in the second-annual Chosin Reservoir Commemorative March here Dec. 1.

Airmen in teams of four wore ruck sacks weighed down with 30-pound bags of sand and marched, or ran, six miles around the base in the frigid cold to honor and remember the men who, 56 years ago, were involved in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign during the Korean War.

More than 30,000 Marines, Soldiers and allied forces were surrounded and outnumbered by Chinese soldiers 10 to one when they battled 70 miles to safety in sub-arctic weather Nov. 27 to Dec. 7.

Eighteen Medals of Honor were awarded to the men of the campaign.
Before the march participants gathered in the base theater to listen to the guest speaker, former Marine Sgt. Arthur Bunn, a veteran of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.

Mr. Bunn talked about the negative 25 degree temperature and negative 51 degree wind chill that lasted throughout the 11-day battle.

"It was bitterly, bone-chilling cold," said Mr. Bunn, who was a radio operator during the war.

Fires were not possible due to the enemy completely surrounding them. Weapons malfunctioned, exposed skin froze and frostbite caused many casualties. Their diet consisted of partially thawed rations and Tootsie Rolls that were dropped by the thousands by allied forces. Mr. Bunn called them energy life savers.

The march was sponsored by the 90th Security Forces Group. This is the fifth time it took place; however, it wasn't until 2005 when the group decided to make it an annual event.

The first march was held shortly after 9/11 to build esprit de corps, said event organizer Master Sgt. David Eckmann, 90th Security Support Squadron. The senior non-commissioned officers of the security forces group chose to continue the march to honor the warriors of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.

"This is our legacy to build teamwork and to remember the Korean War," Sergeant Eckmann said.

There were representatives from nearly every group on base, a team from the Guard and an ROTC team of cadets from Colorado State University who finished the march arm in arm.

Senior Airman Stephen Williams, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, and his teammates participated in the march for the first time.

"Without our veterans, we wouldn't have the option," Airman Williams said.

Mr. Bunn introduced the rules of engagement, which included running, walking or crawling. No one was allowed to receive food or water from anyone outside of their team. And, to be eligible for a first - through third - place award, the four-person team had to finish together.

Several members of the 90th SSPTS added Korean War era weapons to their load to honor the veterans even further.

"It is important because we should always take time to recognize veterans and the sacrifices they made," said Col. Allen Jamerson, 90th SFG commander, who congratulated each Airman as they completed the march. "It's always good to have esprit de corps. It really fosters a sense of teamwork."

Also waiting at the finish line was Mr. Bunn, who gave each participant a commemorative Tootsie Roll, as he called them.