Marchers and viewers attending the 21st annual Bataan Memorial Death March should be prepared for increased security and possible delays prior to the event.

Motorists are asked to have their pass prominently displayed in their windshield and to have their IDs ready when they are entering post.  Motorists coming from the El Paso gate are asked not to come in after 4:45 a.m., or they will run the risk of being stuck in traffic.  Martin Luther King Avenue will be closed to all traffic at 5:30 a.m.  Marchers should plan on arriving at the gates as early as 3 a.m. and no later than 4:30 a.m.  Motorists coming in between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. should make it on time.  Most importantly, motorists and their passengers are required to have a picture ID readily available.  Personnel who do not have a picture ID will experience lengthy delays outside the gate while their information is completely checked.  Motorists should not be surprised if they or their vehicle(s) are searched.  "Everyone is subject to search."

Law Enforcement has selected three primary designated parking areas and two backup areas.  Marchers will receive their vehicle visitor's pass during registration.  It is important that the pass not be displayed should the marchers leave the installation.  The pass should be put away in a safe place until they return to post to help prevent participants from experiencing loss of the pass or becoming a possible target of any type.

There will be multiple security parking teams present to assist participants when they arrive at the pre-designated parking areas around the intersection of Ripley Street and Martin Luther King Avenue.  Motorists coming in through the Las Cruces and El Paso gates the day of the event will be guided by traffic control personnel at the intersections and some areas will be closed for thru traffic.  These traffic control personnel will guide motorists all the way to the parking area to optimize traffic flow.

Except for emergency vehicles, the Las Cruces gate will be closed to outbound range traffic between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. on the day of the march.  Motorists should make arrangements to avoid being delayed on post during these hours.

Donald R. Morrison, Director of Emergency Services, said there will be several law enforcement agencies that will be supporting this year's event.  The agencies will be assigned to zones along the March Route and around the venue area.  Marchers and guest need to be aware that rucksacks and backpacks will not be allowed in the ceremonial tent and that there is a pre-designated pack storing area, which will be located on the northeast corner of Martin Luther King Avenue and Sierra Street, directly across from the Frontier Club.

No weapons or hand guns are permitted on White Sands Missile Range.