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MARTINS FERRY -- Martins Ferry City School District held its annual Veterans Day assemblies at each school on Friday.
Ayers Elementary had its assembly at 9 a.m. The middle school assembly started at 9:45 a.m., and high school students had their assembly at 12:30 p.m.
Local veterans were invited to attend each ceremony. Six local veterans attended the high school's assembly.
The high school assembly featured student speakers who are members of the National Honor Society, music from the high school band and choir, a student-created video and a speech from a local veteran and Martins Ferry High School alum.
NHS President Faith Smith kicked off the ceremony by leading the Pledge of Allegiance, and the high school choir led the "Star Spangled Banner" that followed.
NHS member Sarah Shreve discussed the importance of honoring veterans.
"We need to take the time to greatly appreciate and realize what the veterans have sacrificed for us. ... We look to our veterans as examples of honor, patriotism and unquestionable bravery. They have not only strengthened our country but have made the world a better place," she said.
NHS Vice President Ryan Theaker gave a history of Veterans Day.
"In 1954, President Eisenhower signed the bill claiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day," he said.
Lanee Matz, NHS treasurer, read a poem titled "Freedom Isn't Free" by Kelly Strong.
The assembly featured Terry Wildman, a Vietnam veteran, as a guest speaker. Wildman graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1965. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966 and served in Vietnam from 1967-69.
Wildman said that veterans should be honored every day, not just one day a year, for all that they have sacrificed.
He said that many of the troops in the Vietnam War were only 18 or 19 years old and faced many challenges both during and after the war.
"When we came home, people spat on us and called us baby killers," he said.
Wildman also talked about how many veterans struggled with PTSD after the war. Despite all of the hardships that he has faced, Wildman said that he is proud to be a veteran and strives to support others.
"We're Americans. We have to stick together. We have to love each other. We have to forgive each other. We have to do what's right," Wildman said.
Wildman has received a Silver Star, and his battalion received a Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Special Unit Commendation; Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service medal; Vietnam Service Medal with one silver campaign star; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation ribbon bar; Republic of Vietnam campaign medal with 1960 device; and a Rifle Sharpshooter badge.
Following Wildman's speech, the high school's video and sound class presented a video to recognize and honor all who have served. The class prepares a video each year to present at the Veterans Day assembly.
The video featured patriotic music, facts about the number of veterans who lost their lives in several wars and a thank-you message for all veterans and people serving in the armed forces.
NHS member Syndey Koller gave the closing remarks for the assembly.
"We hope that you found a new and higher level of appreciation for people who have committed themselves to the armed forces," she said.
Students Nathan Luong and Mathew Bex performed "Taps" to conclude the ceremony.
Superintendent Jim Fogle said 23 veterans attended the Martins Ferry Middle School Veterans Day assembly Friday morning. The program was run by the middle school student council.