Lehighton Area Middle School students honored local service men and women during a Veterans Day Celebration program Thursday.

Guest speaker SFC Kevin Long, PAARBG, retired, who is a staff member, said we owe the veterans a debt of gratitude."Some people believe that sports stars or professional athletes are heroes, but my heroes are the men and women who served our country," said Long.Long said that only one percent of the total population choose to serve."Veterans are the people who have made the biggest impact on how we live our lives. They did all that was asked of them. Some are missing arms and legs. They made the sacrifice for you. You may get the call to serve when you leave this school."Members of the Lehighton United Veterans Organization also participated in the program as well as the Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus.Riley Durishin sang the national anthem and Kelsey Andrews led the Pledge of Allegiance.Dr. Mark McGalla, principal, recognized veterans with the poem, "Because of You."The program also included a Veterans Day Tribute produced by the school which was shown to honor staff and LUVO veterans who took part in the program.Each staff member who was a veteran, along with LUVO veterans, were presented certificates of appreciation.