{"id":368676,"date":"2025-02-05T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=368676"},"modified":"2025-02-06T11:52:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T11:52:48","slug":"soldiers-honor-pows-with-60-mile-long-march-80th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=368676","title":{"rendered":"Soldiers honor POWs with 60-mile \u2018Long March\u2019 80th Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u017bAGA\u0143, Poland \u2013 On Jan. 27, 1945, ten thousand Allied POWs stepped off from Stalag Luft III in \u017baga\u0144 as the Nazi regime began forcibly evacuating its POW camps in the face of the advancing Soviet onslaught in what would be called the Long March. They would trek 60 miles to the city of Spremberg, Germany, enduring one of the coldest winters on record.<\/p>\n

Eighty years later, 147 U.S. Army Soldiers stationed across NATO\u2019s eastern flank, alongside service members from Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Long March, retracing the same grueling 60-mile route taken by their military forebears.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first year we had family members here, making it extra special,\u201d said Howard De Lester, historian and director of the Long March reenactment.<\/p>\n

Along the route, Soldiers paused at the same local schools and historical landmarks the POWs had visited eight decades ago. At each stop, family members from the U.S., U.K., and Australia shared firsthand accounts and insights from diaries written by their ancestors.<\/p>\n

De Lester first completed the journey in 2006 alongside three original POWs. Despite being in their early 80s at the time, the veterans walked the entire route once more, staying in the same locations they had occupied during their captivity.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have walked exactly the same roads, sometimes on the very same cobblestones,\u201d said De Lester. \u201cWherever you have rested your head at night is where the prisoners of war rested theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Day 1: The Journey Begins<\/h5>\n

By 8:30 a.m., the Stalag Luft III POW Museum in \u017baga\u0144 was abuzz with activity. The POW camp-turned- museum was filled to the brim with troops and descendants, ready to embark on the solemn journey. A commemorative service at the museum\u2019s war memorial marked the start of the first leg of the march\u2014a 21.5- mile trek through the villages of I\u0142owa and Gozdnica.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival in I\u0142owa, they visited the school and the church where POWs once rested. They were warmly received by the mayor.<\/p>\n

Throughout the first day, local communities braved the cold weather to show their support, sharing bread and salt\u2014a Polish tradition for welcoming guests. The Housewives Association of Gozdnica welcomed the group with hot coffee, tea, and cookies, as well as live music at the Gozdnica Community Center. They sang, danced, and invited the Soldiers to join them on stage.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>

\n 1 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n U.S. Soldiers, allied service members, and POW descendants march out of Bad Muskau, Germany, Jan. 26, 2025, on their way to Spremberg, Germany, the final destination of the 80th Anniversary of the Long March. The formation honored the Allied POWs who endured the forced 60-mile trek in 1945 under extreme winter conditions. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Araujo)
\n (Photo Credit: Bryan Araujo)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Soldiers
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n U.S. Soldiers spend their first night in a barn in Lipna, Poland, Jan. 24, 2025, mirroring the experience of Allied POWs during the Long March of 1945. Unlike then, the barn contained hay and animals, but the night was still cold. The 80th Anniversary of the Long March retraced the 60-mile route taken by the POWs. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Araujo)
\n (Photo Credit: Bryan Araujo)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As the day concluded, marchers arrived at their designated rest stop in Lipna\u2014an old horse stable that has only updated its accompanying animals since the original POWs laid their heads there. In 1945, the POWs slept on hay. In the 80th-anniversary reenactment, marchers had only hard concrete.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was rough,\u201d said Staff Sgt. Mickael Khiev of the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion about his night in the barn. \u201cI have huge respect for them. This is a really tough experience, not to be taken for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Day 2: Pushing Forward \u2013 The Border Crossing<\/h5>\n

Cold, damp air weighed on their shoulders as the marchers trudged forward on the second leg of their journey. A cobblestone-filled 20.7-mile trek from Lipna to Bad Muskau, Germany, was their next challenge. Fatigue, dwindling energy, and sore feet tested the will of the marchers\u2014a defining day for many.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Soldiers
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n U.S. Soldiers stand in formation alongside German service members behind P\u00fcckler Palace Stables in F\u00fcrst P\u00fcckler Park, Bad Muskau, Germany, Jan. 26, 2025. The park was a key stopping point along the 80th Anniversary of the Long March, a 60-mile commemorative trek retracing the steps of POWs evacuated from Stalag Luft III in 1945. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Araujo)
\n (Photo Credit: Bryan Araujo)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Soldiers
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n A U.S. Soldier drains a blister, dries his feet, and applies foot powder and dry socks to prevent injury and maintain foot health during the 80th Anniversary of the Long March in \u017baga\u0144, Poland, Jan. 23\u201326, 2025. The three-day, 60-mile march retraced the steps of Allied POWs who were forcibly evacuated from Stalag Luft III in January 1945, enduring harsh winter conditions. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Araujo)
\n (Photo Credit: Bryan Araujo)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As the formation crossed the border from Poland into Germany, German law enforcement vehicles joined the procession while local residents gathered at the border to wave and cheer them on.<\/p>\n

After pushing through the final miles of the day, the marchers arrived at F\u00fcrst P\u00fcckler Park in Bad Muskau, exhausted but relieved. They were welcomed with hot bratwurst on fresh bread and cold German beer\u2014a stark contrast to the austere conditions endured by the POWs. Soldiers rested, shared stories with the POW family members, and reflected on the journey so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey cheered us in,\u201d said Maj. Travis White, assigned to V Corps. \u201cWe had half the town out there clapping, saying \u2018welcome\u2019 and \u2018thank you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The brats also beat the MREs we\u2019ve been eating the past two days, he added.<\/p>\n

Day 3: The Final Stretch<\/h5>\n

Marching cadences pierced the morning calm on the last day. Spirits were high as the Soldiers pressed forward on the final leg\u201417.8 miles from Bad Muskau to Spremberg.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Soldiers
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Spc. Andy Ramirez, 300th Military Police Company, 51st Military Police Battalion, leads the formation in a cadence call during the 80th Anniversary of the Long March in Germany, Jan. 25, 2025. Soldiers and allied service members marched 60 miles alongside POW descendants, honoring those who endured the original forced march in 1945. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Araujo)
\n (Photo Credit: Bryan Araujo)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Soldiers
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Local residents gather at the finish area in Spremberg, Germany, Jan. 26, 2025, to cheer on marchers completing the 80th Anniversary of the Long March. Among them, a young child watches with excitement as U.S. Soldiers, allied service members, and POW descendants take their final steps of the 60-mile journey. (U.S. Army photo by Bethany Huff)
\n (Photo Credit: Bethany Huff)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Soldiers
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 3 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n U.S. Soldiers and allies gather for a warm meal in Spremberg, Germany, Jan. 26, 2025, after completing the 80th Anniversary of the Long March. Hungry and exhausted from the 60-mile journey, many go straight for the soup before even dropping their rucksacks. (U.S. Army photo by Bethany Huff)
\n (Photo Credit: Bethany Huff)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

British and Australian POW family members mentioned what a treat it was to march alongside American troops while they sang their marching cadences.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud of myself,\u201d said Sgt. Lassana Sanha of the 1060th Transportation Company, just three miles from the finish. \u201cI\u2019m sure everyone is hurting right now, but we keep pushing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The march ended at Spremberg Bahnhof, the train station where the original POWs were packed into cattle cars and transported to other camps deeper inside Germany. But for these 147 marchers, hugs, handshakes, and more than a few tears marked the conclusion of their journey.<\/p>\n

That night, a final banquet was held at Castle Kliczk\u00f3w in Poland, where Soldiers and family members gathered to reflect on the experience they had just completed.<\/p>\n

Mission and Coordination<\/h5>\n

The Long March 80th Anniversary was executed to promote international cooperation, esprit de corps, and honor the survivors and descendants of the original march.<\/p>\n

Troops participating in the march represented duty stations across NATO\u2019s Eastern Flank, including Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia; multiple locations across Poland; and Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base, Romania. A total of 147 marchers came from various units, including:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Soldiers
\n <\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Soldiers from V Corps (Forward) stand before the Spremberg Train Station in Spremberg, Germany, Janurary 26, 2025.
\n (Photo Credit: Bethany Huff)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25cf 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Army Reserve, Rhode Island<\/p>\n

\u25cf Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Cavazos<\/p>\n

\u25cf 1060th Transportation Company, Massachusetts National Guard<\/p>\n

\u25cf 724th Transportation Company, Army Reserve, Illinois<\/p>\n

\u25cf Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 7-17 Cavalry Regiment, Fort Cavazos<\/p>\n

\u25cf 223rd Military Police Company, 51st Military Police Battalion, South Carolina National Guard<\/p>\n

\u25cf 300th Military Police Company, 51st Military Police Battalion, South Carolina National Guard<\/p>\n

\u25cf Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 51st Military Police Battalion, South Carolina National<\/p>\n

Guard<\/p>\n

\u25cf V Corps (Forward), Poznan<\/p>\n

\u25cf 304th Civil Affairs Battalion, Army Reserve, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

\u25cf 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Georgia National Guard<\/p>\n

\u25cf 962nd Ordnance Company, Army Reserve, New York<\/p>\n

\u25cf 725th Transportation Company, Illinois National Guard<\/p>\n

\u25cf One Department of the Army civilian and a contractor assigned to USAG Poland<\/p>\n

Never Forget<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u017bAGA\u0143, Poland \u2013 On Jan. 27, 1945, ten thousand Allied POWs stepped off from Stalag Luft III in \u017baga\u0144 as the Nazi regime began forcibly evacuating its POW camps in the face of the advancing Soviet onslaught in what would be called the Long March. They would trek 60 miles to the city of Spremberg, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":368678,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-368676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=368676"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":368687,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368676\/revisions\/368687"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/368678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=368676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=368676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=368676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}