Bataan Day Ceremony Speaker Great-Granddaughter of Survivor

Bataan Memorial Elementary School's annual Bataan Day ceremony always holds special meaning, but this year's event was extra special. The great-granddaughter of a local Bataan March survivor was among the speakers. Bataan Memorial student Tenley Chaffin is the great-granddaughter of Sgt. Charles Chaffin, who died in 1947, leaving behind his wife and infant son, Ron. Chaffin shared the story of Sgt. Chaffin's life and her classmates told the story of the Battle of Bataan.

Also speaking at the event was Cpl. Shane Lehman, U.S. Marine Corps, a father of Port Clinton Schools students and a local youth coach. Lehman spoke about the importance of teamwork, a lesson he learned in the military.

The ceremony was held on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, in the Bataan Memorial School gymnasium. Parents, community members and families with local ties to Tank Company C attended.

The annual event honors 32 men from Port Clinton who participated in the Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March during World War II. Each soldier's name is read and a pinwheel presented in their honor. The ceremony helps students learn the history behind their school's name and remember the sacrifices made by these soldiers and others who have fought for the country and its freedoms.

More information about the memorial wall is available at www.pccsd.netSelect "About Us" under Bataan Memorial Primary or Intermediate.