IN Norwin Summer 2016 | Page 16

inEVENTS Norwin Air Force JROTC Hosts Bataan Memorial March On Saturday, Mar. 19, at the Little Boston Trail along the Greater Allegheny Passage, Norwin Air Force JROTC held the Bataan Memorial March charity walk to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. All proceeds from the Bataan Memorial March supported injured service members through the 20 programs and services provided by WWP that are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. More than 52,000 servicemen and women have been injured in the recent military conflicts. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated that as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Through this charity walk, the Norwin Air Force JROTC aimed to help WWP work toward their vision of fostering the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in the nation’s history. Bataan Memorial March During World War II, the Japanese forced American and Filipino soldiers on a 65-mile march on the Luzon Islands. These 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war were already tired, weak and lacking food but were forced through the Luzon Island jungles with intense tropical heat. The march was from Mariveles, Bataan, to San Fernando, Pampanga, and involved over 5,000 casualties. This tragic event is now known as the Bataan Death March. The first memorial march was held in 1989 in New Mexico to honor those who suffered at the Bataan Death March. It is annually sponsored by the Army ROTC from New Mexico State University. 14 724.942.0940 to advertise | Norwin