By Kristi Spencer
“Every veteran is different. The experiences they have on (an Honor Flight) trip are very unique. Any number of emotions can be witnessed during the day.” – Jonathan Dawson
Each Honor Flight costs nearly $175,000. Please consider making a donation. These flights make a difference to our veterans by providing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the veterans’ monuments. Donations can be made at honorflightoftheozarks.org.
More Than Just a March
Jonathan Dawson of Webb City, along with David Pyle and Steven Taylor of Carl Junction, have done their share of endurance events. But nothing quite compares to the Bataan Memorial Death March.
The trio first completed the nine-hour, 26.2-mile desert course in 2019 after hearing about it from David, whose uncle had participated. They chose the Civilian Heavy category, which means carrying a rucksack weighing at least 35 pounds across rugged terrain at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
“This is truly the hardest thing I think any of us has done,” Jonathan said. “The fatigue is real, and the game changer is the 35-pound rucksack. We are only going 26.2 miles versus the actual Bataan Death March, which was over 65 miles. We have boots and good packs. After hearing the actual survivors, you stop complaining real quick.”
Their experience in 2019 left a lasting impression. “We heard from two Bataan survivors. In a word, it was surreal,” Jonathan said. “You could hear a pin drop as they talked about how their friends and soldiers helped them get through. It gave us a reason not to complain when on the course.”
They returned to the course in 2024 and again in 2025. What started as a physical challenge soon became a more personal one.
Carrying the Past
The Bataan Memorial Death March honors the men who were captured in the Philippines during World War II after months of fighting with little food, medical support or equipment. On April 9, 1942, more than 75,000 U.S. and Filipino troops surrendered to Japanese forces and were forced to walk 65 miles through the jungle. Around 10,000 men died on that march. Those who survived were sent to prisoner-of-war camps, and many never returned home.
“To hear the actual survivors tell their story. To see the museum and follow the path of Bataan in pictures. It is horrific,” Jonathan continued.
While the original march was a tragedy, the modern long-distance event has become a powerful tribute, drawing thousands who walk in memory of the men who never came home.
“Bataan was a dark time for the U.S. military. We never want to forget,” Jonathan said.
The Bataan Memorial Death March itself began in 1989 as a remembrance event organized by the Army ROTC program at New Mexico State University. What started with just over 100 participants has grown into an international event. In 1992, the march moved to White Sands Missile Range and received official support from the New Mexico National Guard.
Today, more than 6,000 people take part in the memorial each year. Participants choose between a full 26.2-mile course or a shorter 14.2-mile option. Participants include active-duty military personnel, veterans and civilians, and many walk in honor of relatives or units affected by the original march. Categories include heavy and light divisions, with some choosing to carry 35-pound packs, just as Jonathan, David and Steven did.
Some participants carry non-perishable food in their rucksacks, which is then donated to local food pantries.
Walking with Purpose
In 2024, the three friends rucked in honor of several military organizations, including Webb City American Legion Post 322, Webb City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7630, Carl Junction American Legion Post 781, and the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base.
After completing that march, they decided to connect their efforts to Honor Flight of the Ozarks. Jonathan and Steven both served as Guardians on Honor Flight trips and saw the impact firsthand.
“Our mission was to honor current and past veterans,” Jonathan said. In support of that goal, they created The Flight for Bataan, a campaign designed to raise awareness about the Bataan Memorial Death March and Honor Flight of the Ozarks.
They set a goal of raising $50,000 to help fund future flights, and the result was more than they hoped for. The total for the fundraiser exceeded $53,000.
“We were honored to help Honor Flight of the Ozarks,” Jonathan said. “This could not have happened without the overwhelming support from our sponsors and community. It was truly remarkable. In my opinion, we live in a very patriotic area of the country. Veterans really mean something to us, and our communities show how much they care. The support just kept coming.”
Local individuals and businesses sponsored mile markers, donated in honor of veterans, or purchased service branch ribbons, which Jonathan, David and Steven wore on their rucksacks during the march. Webb City Elks Lodge 861 helped manage the funds, allowing for tax-exempt donations.
Supporting Veterans Today
Since 2013, Honor Flight of the Ozarks has flown 1,810 veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. The trip is free to the veteran, but each flight costs nearly $175,000. With more than 400 veterans still on the waiting list, donations continue to make a difference.
“Every veteran is different,” Jonathan said. “The experiences they have on the trip are very unique. Any number of emotions can be witnessed during the day.”
Jonathan encourages others to support the mission. “Consider making a donation to Honor Flight of the Ozarks,” he said. “They truly make a difference to our veterans by providing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see their monuments.”
If you would like to support Honor Flight of the Ozarks, donations can be made at honorflightoftheozarks.org. Whether it is honoring a veteran, sponsoring a future flight or simply sharing the mission with others, every effort helps preserve the stories and sacrifices of those who served.
Their march honored the past and opened the door for others to take action, one step at a time.