Rancho Cucamonga High School Remembers!
Aaron organized an awesome event today at Ranch Cucamonga High School where he teaches U.S. and World History. They invited veterans to come tell their stories to students in a small group setting. 68 veterans came... 38 WWII veterans and 30 Vietnam and Korea veterans came to be honored and heard. Aaron required that the students dress appropriately (boys in shirt and tie, girls in dress or skirt). All of them did! As the veterans arrived, they were greeted and escorted by ROTC students and others to the multi-purpose room. There they checked in and were served coffee, muffins, and fruit. The band played patriotic songs and the choir sang. Aaron and the principal said a few words, a WWII vet read a poem entitled "Freedom Isn't Free", and a Vietnam vet also said a few words. Aaron encouraged these students to look past the wrinkles and remember that these experiences are from the eyes and hearts of young men...18, 19, 20. Next, the veterans were interviewed in a small group of 3-4 students (2 sessions). Finally, the students served them lunch and sat and talked more with them.
These men and their stories are truly remarkable. This experience is invaluable. The goal of this event was to have students hear first-hand stories from these brave people they have been learning about in their history books.
It was an amazing experience for everyone. I couldn't help but cry when I listened to some of the stories. So many of these men reminded me of my dear grandfather who was also a WWII veteran. The way they spoke about their duty, their country, their buddies, their wives of 60+ years...they are heroes, each and every one of them!
Veterans arriving at RCHS and being escorted from the parking lot
Left: Our friend Tom Mealey (Vietnam) with an ROTC student escort Right: Our friend Heather with her grandpa Charles McMillan(WWII)
ROTC presenting the colors
Honored guest: Sarah Hull's grandfather Fred Wise (WWII) One of the planes he flew is in the Smithsonian Museum
Grandpa Fred Wise talking to his groups
The students took notes during their interviews and are required to type a short biography on each of their veterans.
Jack Hammit, Pearl Harbor survivor, awesome story teller
Left: one veteran's collection Right: Ralph Langley, a veteran who asked Aaron to come over to his house to talk about the event before it took place...he and his wife talked with Aaron for a few hours at their home, offered Aaron drinks and snacks, etc...so sweet and hospitable
Left: a veteran reading to his students from his journal
Heather Duncan's(Bittles) grandfather Charles McMillan telling his stories about his service in the Army (infantry) in WWII. His great-granddaughter Brooke is pictured with him on the left. He was in combat at The Battle of the Bulge among other battles. He told very detailed stories about his experiences. He told of an incident where the first scout directly before him was shot (80 rounds) and killed. In the dark of night, Charles told his group to lay still so they would not be seen. He laid face down in the snow trying to bury himself by slowly moving his nose deeper into the snow. He and the rest of them survived that encounter. During another engagement, his hand was severely wounded by shrapnel. He was also shot, rolled down a hill, and barely survived. Upon arriving at a hospital, he was basically told he was not going to survive and was read his final rights. What an amazing man. He spoke of his sweet wife whom he lost just a few months ago. He said, "I've had such a wonderful life. America is the best country in the world...the best country."
from Mooch
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