Haughton High School JROTC to Host Bataan Death March Memorial Event

Cadets will honor the 75,000 POWs forced to march 65 miles by Japanese forces in 1942.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Haughton High School Air Force JROTC cadets will participate in a 14-mile march to honor the 75,000 prisoners of war, approximately 66,000 Filipinos and 12,000 Americans, who were forced to walk 65 miles by Japanese forces in 1942. Over 11,000 Filipinos and 550 Americans died during the march. The memorial march is held nationwide by Air Force and Navy JROTC units to promote discipline, build physical and mental resilience, foster camaraderie, and create awareness of POW/MIA history.

Why it matters

The Bataan Death March is a somber and important part of World War II history, and this memorial event helps educate the next generation about the sacrifices of POWs and the importance of honoring their memory.

The details

The Haughton Bucs in Blue will begin their memorial march on Wednesday, February 24, at 3:00 p.m. with a run/walk/crawl until 4:45 p.m. at the John McConathy Academic Complex (JMAC) in Bossier City. The march will continue on Thursday and Friday at Haughton High School during class time and after school.

  • The memorial march will begin on Wednesday, February 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
  • The march will continue on Thursday and Friday at Haughton High School.

The players

Haughton High School Air Force JROTC

The JROTC cadets at Haughton High School who will be participating in the memorial march.

Japanese forces

The Japanese military who forced the 75,000 prisoners of war to march 65 miles in 1942.

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The takeaway

This memorial march is an important way for the next generation to learn about and honor the sacrifices of POWs during World War II, and to build discipline, resilience, and camaraderie among the JROTC cadets.