Army Reserve Spec. Amber DaVatz participated in the 17th annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. About 3,900 military and civilian marchers participated in the grueling event honoring veterans and survivors of infamous death march.

The march offered a 26.2-mile course and a 14.2-mile course. Marchers traveled through the high desert terrain of the White Sands Missile Range to complete the tough marathon-length event. Participants trekked over pavement, dusty and rocky trails, and deep sand pits at elevation variances of 4,100 to 5,300 feet.

The annual march commemorates the World War II Death March on the Bataan Peninsula, the Philippines, in April 1942 after the invasion of the Philippine Islands by Japanese armed forces.

The march recognizes the suffering, sacrifice, courage and perseverance of U.S. and Filipino service members who fought to defend the Philippine Islands. Tens of thousands died during the forced march on their way to Japanese prison camps.

This year, 30 survivors of the Bataan march attended the memorial event. They greeted participants at the start and finish lines.

DaVatz is a civil affairs specialist assigned to the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion in Belton, Mo. DaVatz a 2004 graduate of Perry-Lecompton High School, is the daughter of Terry and Teresa DaVatz, Lawrence.