A chill was in the air Saturday morning as about 60 Junior ROTC cadets marched out of Trafford’s B-Y Park.
The cold weather didn’t deter the cadets from Norwin, Plum and Pine-Richland school districts, who were on a dual mission as they set off on a 14-mile trek along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail.
The annual walk/run event, previously held in other locales, honors U.S. World War II service members and allies who were forced by Japanese captors in April 1942 to march 65 miles through the jungles of the Philippines.
This year’s walk also is meant to raise money, through T-shirt sales and raffles, for a proposed Westmoreland County Global War on Terror monument and a related memorial plaza at Twin Lakes Park in Hempfield.
“The goal is to raise money for our veterans and appreciate all those who have served our country,” said Shaylie Cuthbert, 16, of North Huntingdon, a cadet in the Norwin Air Force Junior ROTC program who organized this year’s walk.
According to instructor Lt. Col. David Sandala, previous Bataan memorial walks organized by the Norwin cadets have raised about $25,000 for other veterans’ causes since the 2015-16 school year.
Proceeds from Saturday’s walk will add to about $50,000 that has been raised so far by the Westmoreland County Veterans of the War on Terror, the nonprofit that is planning the War on Terror monument and the proposed Patriot’s Day Plaza in Hempfield. The plaza also is expected to feature a first responders’ monument and a memorial to service members with Westmoreland ties who have been killed in action in the current war.
One of the area men who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 2003 was Penn-Trafford High School alumnus Sgt. 1st Class Robert Fike, 38. He was killed by a suicide bomber on June 11, 2010, in Afghanistan, while serving with the Army National Guard in the 28th Military Police Company.
His parents, Jim and Christine Fike of Trafford, attended the kickoff of Saturday’s walk to show their gratitude to the participating cadets.
“It means a lot to us,” said Jim Fike. “They chose to come out here today and spend the next five hours, maybe six hours, doing something that supports their community. It just shows the respect they have for the sacrifices made by others.”
Cadets who successfully complete the 14-mile, round-trip route will be eligible for a JROTC ribbon.
