‘Bataan’ marchers show ‘can do’ spirit

By submitted, 03/12/18 9:55 PM

HOPE – Some 55 Hope High School students proved on March 9 that “can do” spirit is alive and well in this generation by taking on a 14-mile walk to commemorate the Bataan Death March of World War II and not leaving behind a single student.

Sponsored by the HHS unit of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps as a ribbon award event for cadets, the Hope cadets were joined by other HHS classmates, and the first group completed the 14-mile route in just under five hours.

The entire group had completed the route and returned to the HHS campus by 2 p.m., a full hour ahead of the schedule for the walk.

“It was good to see the smiles and joy of the students completing their goal to finish,” ROTC instructor Master Sergeant Arthur Mickles said. “Even though this was an educational event, it became personal for a lot of students.”

A quick turnaround from a planned Saturday event pushed the schedule back a day based upon a weather forecast that called for thunderstorms.

“The cadets had been anticipating the march, and I didn’t want to disappoint,” MSgt. Mickles said. “We expected 40 and there were 55 students that actually participated.”

He said the students faced their personal obstacles and conquered them.

“Students were suffering from blisters, sore feet, leg cramps… but, they refused to give up,” MSgt. Mickles said. “Some said their parents didn’t think they could do it and they wanted to prove them wrong. It is a lesson that I will include in next week’s curriculum regarding goals. Students can achieve anything they set their minds to if they’re willing and motivated to accomplish their goals.

“Pushing through the obstacles gives them a sense of accomplishment,” he said.

The march along a route on U.S. Highway 67 between Hope and Prescott honors the thousands of American and Filipino soldiers who were force-marched by Japanese troops more than 70 miles as prisoners of war in the Bataan Death March during World War II.

During the main body of the march some 2,500 Filipinos and 500 Americans either died or were summarily executed along the way. Prisoners who were too weak to walk, or those who did not keep the pace, were shot or bayoneted, and in some cases beheaded.

Of the 54,000 prisoners who ultimately made it to POW Camp O’Donnell, 26,000 Filipinos and 1,500 Americans died in captivity from starvation or disease.

“I truly want to thank everyone that has supported our AFJROTC event,” MSgt. Mickles said.