A sea of red, white and blue filled Towamensing Elementary School on Tuesday as students and staff gathered to honor local veterans during the school’s annual Veterans Day assembly and parade.

The morning celebration blended patriotic pride with personal stories of service, as students introduced the veterans in their families — grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts — who stood to share where and how they served.

“We gather to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces,” Principal Kelli George told the veterans. “You are our heroes — people who have shown courage, dedication and love for our country. Because of your service, we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have each and every day.”

This year’s assembly took on a new, more personal tone.

“In the past, we’ve had veterans from the Valor House come and talk,” guidance counselor Jodi Kocher said. “This year, we thought it would be really special if our students brought their own veterans.”

One by one, the veterans stood to share their stories.

“I served from 1977 to 1981 in the Air Force,” said Diane Smith Huber. “I worked on aircraft and inspected on the flight line in California, Illinois and then in Alconbury, England.”

Jeff Hall, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1982 to 2002, described his two decades at sea.

“I did everything — drove ships, handled land navigation and worked in physical security,” he said. “I was also a drill instructor. The flag inside my shadow box was flown over ground zero for one day.”

Others reflected on earlier eras of service. Army National Guard veteran James Hittner said he served from 1969 to 1975 as a military police officer.

The program also featured a special presentation by elementary Dean of Students Josh Nenscel, a Palmerton Area High School graduate who served 25 years in the military.

“I was in the Army Reserves from 1997 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005,” Nenscel said. “I joined the Air Force in 2007 and just retired in 2024.”

Nenscel spoke about his experiences as an Army intelligence analyst and later in Air Force mortuary affairs.

He showed students photos from his deployments to Iraq and Ethiopia, describing daily life in a combat zone and moments of connection with local children.

“We donated books and desks and tried to help set up schools so they could have a better experience,” Nenscel said.

He told students that serving abroad gave him a deep appreciation for life at home.

“One of the biggest things I learned was to appreciate everything we have here in our country and our freedom,” Nenscel said.

The assembly concluded with Boy Scouts retiring the colors, followed by the parade of veterans through the school’s hallways as students lined up to cheer and wave flags.