Remembering Pearl Harbor
<p>Jim Shepperd, who trained at Farragut Naval Training Station and later served in the Navy during WWII, listens to Winton Elementary School students sing songs commemorating veterans during the Pearl Harbor and Veterans Celebration on Monday at Winton Elementary School in Coeur d'Alene. Monday marked the 74th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attacks.</p>
<p>Winton Elementary School first-grader Emma Chapleski sings along with her classmates a song commemorating veterans during the Pearl Harbor and Veteran's Celebration on Monday at Winton Elementary School in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE — Fifth-grader Julian Coniglicero interrupted regular student programming at Winton Elementary for an important message on Monday.
It was the 74th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Coniglicero, one of the radio talk hosts on "WPAWS-AM" during Winton's assembly to honor veterans of all wars, said the spirited patriotic event was students' way of saying thanks for fighting for and defending our freedoms.
"It's amazing to celebrate this important day in American history in our new school," said Coniglicero, referring to the renovated school. "Our veterans are very interesting, brave and courageous."
Students sang, danced and wrote about the sacrifices veterans have made over the decades and how we enjoy freedoms as a result.
Coniglicero said it's hard to comprehend that 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded during the surprise attack on the peaceful morning of Dec. 7, 1941, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed as "a date which will live in infamy."
"It shaped America to what it is today," Coniglicero said.
About 35 veterans from eras dating back to World War II attended the ceremony.
"We lose more of our World War II veterans every year," said Nancy Mueller, a Winton teacher who organized the assembly. "We do this so that our students become more aware about the importance of veterans."
World War II veteran Arndt Edwards, 97, said he appreciated the recognition.
"The kids should be commended for it," he said. "I'm grateful for everything."
World War II veteran Jim Shepperd said he was in Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d'Alene when he heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
"It's a strange thing to say, but I had to look on a map to see where Pearl Harbor was," he said. "It was quite a day."
Veteran Jacques Croom said he was at a picnic at Fort Bragg in North Carolina when the Japanese struck.
"The MP (military police) show up and said for all civilians to get the hell out out of there because we were at war," he said.