Walt Straka, a 101 year old Minnesota survivor of the Bataan Death March, turned down an invitation to receive his Congressional Gold Medal in a White House ceremony: “I would have gone if Obama was still in there.”
109
710
4K
Replies
The
@wctrib
profiled Mr. Straka last year, on his 100th birthday: "I’m just thankful to be alive. The only thing that bugs me these days are those darn nightmares, but I just have to get up and fight them off,” he said. “That’s just life, I suppose.”
2
23
128
@WentRogue
Bless Walt. We had 2 survivors of the Death March in my hometown. I knew each, although not well. One especially was in bad shape mentally and physically.
1
4
22
@KarenDrysdale2
I would think so. ❤️ Reading Mr. Straka’s story, the trauma seems unimaginable. His son says that his father didn’t speak about his experience until he was in his 80s.
0
5
12
@WentRogue
I treated a patient a few years back who was a Bataan survivor. True heroes. Hope he gets his day at the White House with President Biden who will treat veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve.
5
12
148
@NickKaknes
The story is heartbreaking (as they all are.) His son says he did t say anything about his experience until he was in his 80s. Unfathomable trauma.
6
7
90
@WentRogue
@MaxGail
Paywall, which is a shame. There were 1000s of American soldiers abandoned in the Philippines. My father was one of them. I grew up hearing the stories. The govt never thanked them for what they endured. Death march/death train/O'Donnel/Cabanatuan/Hell ship/POW camp. Medal 4 all.
2
3
14
@VirginiaMadden
@MaxGail
Although I can’t get the Strib to open access to it, I can save it as a pdf and get it to you! DM me your email if you’re interested and I’ll take care of that later today. It’s a great story (and I love the weekly MN history feature)
1
1
7
@WentRogue
This is terribly sad. The Speaker of the House attends all of these and there is no President at these ceremonies. If you see him again, tell him he should go.
0
0
0
@WentRogue
My great uncle(now deceased) survived the march, a harrowing journey to Japan, and a stay as a POW in Japan. Bless this man for his fortitiude.
0
7
30
@WentRogue
@spuzzojo
President Joseph Biden will happy bestow upon you, Sir. Thank you for your service.
0
3
16
@WentRogue
@chrislongview
@JoeBiden
@KamalaHarris
@SymoneDSanders
@SpeakerPelosi
@SenSchumer
Please consider this courageous soldier for the Congressional Gold Medal when you take office in 2021.
1
9
44
