The entire student body, staff and visitors turned out en masse Monday in Jim Thorpe to honor our country’s veterans during an assembly at the L.B. Morris Elementary School.

In addressing those present at the assembly, Henry Desrosiers, director of Veterans Affairs for Carbon County, said, “I would ask as you leave here and go about the rest of your day to keep our veterans in your mind and keep their families and friends in your heart — for it is their immense collective sacrifices that have helped keep our country safe and free. If in your travels you happen upon a WWII veteran here in the commonwealth, please thank that veteran for his or her military service.”

He continued, “Our country’s veterans chose to set aside their personal ambitions and dreams to assure the well-being of our great nation. We the living are indeed the beneficiaries of those who made tremendous sacrifices for the advancement and surety of our liberty.”

The keynote speaker at the event was veteran Joseph O’Brien.

During the program, in addition to the Jim Thorpe High School Olympian band under the direction of Director Eric Flowers, patriotic tunes and songs were also presented by several different classes under the direction of the elementary school’s music instructor, Sherry Ohl.