Veterans share war stories with Rancho Cucamonga High School students

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (KABC) -- Students at Rancho Cucamonga High School closed their history books on Tuesday to listen to war stories from more than 300 veterans.

The day was spent with veterans from across the nation sharing their experiences with 11th graders in the 9th annual Rancho Remembers.

"They get to see history from a primary source, which is our veterans," said Rancho Cucamonga High principal Cary Willborn.

Jack Rogo, an aviation worker during the attack on Pearl Harbor, said his firsthand experience is something students will never find on social media.

"I'm glad I am in this position that I can give them firsthand experience, to tell them how it was to be in a catastrophe like a war," said Rogo. "Not like what they see on their Facebook."

One of the students, Kourtney Netter, met Iris Critchell, a World War II pilot and member of the U.S. Olympic team in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

"I absolutely did not know anything prior, but I'm glad that I met her because she was in the Olympics, she was in World War II," said Netter. "So, basically history class turned into real life meeting her."

History teacher Robert Sanchez said students weren't the only ones getting a life-changing experience.

"One of our colleagues' father never spoke about his experience in the Vietnam War," said Sanchez. "When he finally felt comfortable, he came out and spoke. That was the first time his son had ever heard anything in 35 years."

Teachers who organized the event said they hope to continue bringing this type of lessons to their students for years to come.