NewsApril 17, 2021

Cape Central High School Air Force JROTC cadets walked seven miles on Saturday, April 17, 2021, to commemorate the Bataan Death March that took place during World War II, and plans to walk the same seven miles on Sunday. This is their first year doing the commemorative march. According to Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at Central, Colonel Michael Goodin, cadets voluntarily signed-up to go on the march and also collected donations for the VFW Veteran's Relief Fund. "You all are doing this as a commemoration of the Bataan Death March. So I want you to think about that. Think about the sacrifices our former soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines have given for this country," Colonel Goodin said to the cadets before they began the march. According to Colonel Goodin, The Bataan Death March was a 65 mile march to prison camps forced by the Japanese on American and Filipino troops and thousands perished because of it.

Colonel Michael Goodin explains the veteran's memorial at Veterans Plaza in Cape County Park North to the Cape AFJROTC students before beginning their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Colonel Michael Goodin explains the veteran's memorial at Veterans Plaza in Cape County Park North to the Cape AFJROTC students before beginning their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Freshman Zach Hodges, sophomore Dominic Wigley, freshman Carson Baudendistel and freshman Evan Charlton, from left, compare what they have in the MRE meal packs during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Freshman Zach Hodges, sophomore Dominic Wigley, freshman Carson Baudendistel and freshman Evan Charlton, from left, compare what they have in the MRE meal packs during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students observe Freedom Rock at Veterans Plaza in Cape County Park North before their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students observe Freedom Rock at Veterans Plaza in Cape County Park North before their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The Cape AFJROTC team poses for a picture at Veterans Plaza in Cape County Park North before their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The Cape AFJROTC team poses for a picture at Veterans Plaza in Cape County Park North before their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students cross a bridge in Cape County Park North during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students cross a bridge in Cape County Park North during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail near Kingshighway during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail near Kingshighway during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
A person walking their dog stops to the side of the trail as Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail in the Cape Woods area during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
A person walking their dog stops to the side of the trail as Cape AFJROTC students walk on the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail in the Cape Woods area during their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Freshman Zach Hodges, right, surveys the available MRE meal packs after completing half of the first day of their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Freshman Zach Hodges, right, surveys the available MRE meal packs after completing half of the first day of their commemorative Bataan Death March in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!

Cape Central High School Air Force JROTC cadets walked seven miles on Saturday, April 17, 2021, to commemorate the Bataan Death March that took place during World War II, and plans to walk the same seven miles on Sunday. This is their first year doing the commemorative march. According to Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at Central, Colonel Michael Goodin, cadets voluntarily signed-up to go on the march and also collected donations for the VFW Veteran's Relief Fund. "You all are doing this as a commemoration of the Bataan Death March. So I want you to think about that. Think about the sacrifices our former soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines have given for this country," Colonel Goodin said to the cadets before they began the march. According to Colonel Goodin, The Bataan Death March was a 65 mile march to prison camps forced by the Japanese on American and Filipino troops and thousands perished because of it.

Story Tags

Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:

For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.

Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!