JROTC cadets participate in event to honor WWII Bataan death march soldiers

A group of cadets from the North Marion High School Air Force JROTC participated in the Bataan death march memorial event on April 18, 2025, at Baseline Trailhead Park in Ocala. The event also included cadets from Belleview, Forest and Vanguard high schools. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]

Cadets from four local high school JROTC programs got sore feet and an increased appreciation for the sacrifices of prisoners of war 83 years ago in the World War II Bataan death march during a 15-mile march held April 18 at Baseline Trailhead Park.

The memorial march involved upwards of 200 cadets from the Vanguard High School Navy JROTC program and Air Force JROTC classes at Belleview, Forest and North Marion high schools.

According to bataanmarch.com, the Army ROTC Department of New Mexico State University started a memorial march in 1989 that has seen up to 9,600 civilian and military participants from across the country. The annual Bataan Memorial Death March: More Than a Marathon, held at the White Sands Missile Range, includes 26.2 mile or 14.2 mile marches, some with an optional 35-pound backpack.

The site states that the World War II Bataan death march took place after 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers—who were defending the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor-defense forts of the Philippines, fought in a malaria-infested region and survived on little portions of food, had outdated equipment and supply shortages, and lacked medical attention—surrendered to Japanese forces on April 9, 1942, and were held until 1945. The prisoners were made to march in the extreme heat for 65 miles through the jungle to a confinement camp. About 10,000 soldiers died: 9,000 Filipino and 1,000 American, the website states.

Retired Lt. Col. Brian Holbein, senior aerospace instructor with the BHS program, said the local memorial march was meant to “raise awareness for POWs and soldiers missing in action.”

“Air Force JROTC encourages all units/schools to conduct their own event, with cadets leading the planning and rewards cadets that completed at least 14 miles with a ribbon,” Holbein stated in a text following the event.

Col. Jeremy Campbell with the FHS program, said about 60 cadets participated.

Holbein said American, Filipino and POW/MIA flags were carried by cadets from each school in rotation at the front of the march and that about $1,500 in contributions raised by the walkers would be donated to the Disabled American Veterans chapter in Belleview.

Gary Wise, master chief with the VHS JROTC program, said about 30 cadets who were at the march had been instructed on the history of the event. Elizabeth Daubenmire, 18, with the VHS program, said she had “blisters” after the event and a deeper appreciation of the plight of the Bataan prisoners.

One cadet in the FHS JROTC program said marching gave him insight into the “fatigue and heat” and commitment of the World War II POWs who endured the Bataan death march.

Thomas Young, a master sergeant with the NMHS JROTC, said the memorial event gives cadets a “better understanding” of the Bataan death march. Ana MacDonna said she was pleased that her daughter, Adriana, a NMHS cadet, was “engaged” in the march.

Col. Keith Cunningham with NMHS said about 50 of their program’s cadets were in the walk. He said the history lesson and march can be a sobering look at the realities of war.