Bronxville High School juniors welcomed veterans Michael Fix and Vito Pinto to their social studies classes on Dec. 5 and 6 to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
“I want the young people to remember those who served at Pearl Harbor and throughout the war and the naval aviation role in the Pacific navy battles,” said Pinto, a veteran of the Vietnam War. “It was a devastating attack and all too many people forget it. It’s important to remember those who served. Remember them, respect them and reflect on where we are today, and never forget.”
Fix and Pinto visited each U.S. History and Advanced Placement U.S. History class to discuss the reasons behind the attack, as well as the economic, political and social implications of the conflict. During the history lessons, the students watched video footage from the war and a clip from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s speech to Congress, during which he called the date of the attack – which forced the United States into World War II – “a date which will live in infamy.” They also paid tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the war and encouraged the students to remember the lessons learned and not let history repeat itself.
While most students will study the attack on Pearl Harbor as part of their history classes in the spring, the veterans’ visit sparked the students’ interest in the topic.
“The most powerful part of the Pearl Harbor presentation were the stories about the individuals from the Bronxville community who were connected to Pearl Harbor,” teacher Chris Doyle said. “The students made excellent connections to their studies as they were able to conceptualize the geography of the attacks and the start of U.S. involvement in World War II.”