PHOTOS ADDED:Students at José Barrios Elementary School honor veterans

José Barrios Elementary School holds each year around Veterans' Day an event to honor those who serve or who have served the country in the Armed Forces.

Students provided the program, with short memorized speeches and songs.

The Vietnam Veterans Post 1328 posted the colors to begin the ceremony.

Teacher Eileen Piercy directed the students, during the whole program.

Lauren Fendrick and Josiah Campos gave the introduction. Jordan Carrasco presented the tradition behind the event. Haley Housley led the Pledge of Allegiance, Andrew Farmer, Noa Stailey, Annabelle Jamison and Charla Hardesty gave the history of Veterans' Day.

Matthew Tavison asked for a moment of silence to honor veterans. Marlea Glick recited the poem In Flanders Field.

Foster Brown, Mauri Nelson, James Rivera, Martin Montenegro, Mia Estrada and Breanna Lopez introduced the military branches and asked those affiliated with them to stand.

Christian Kilgore recited the reason to serve. Anthony Carrasco presented the sacrifice of families.

Kaylee Anderson and Abriana Cameron recognized the veterans. Piercy introduced each veteran in attendance. He or she was brought to the front by a student and given a certificate and a small gift.

Steven Madsen recited a quote from Ronald Reagan. A song and slideshow of God Bless the U.S.A. was presented by the combined student group.

Kolton Guerra gave a quote from John F. Kennedy, and Darrion Glick, a quote from Elmer Davis.

The students sang "This Land Is Your Land."

The final thank you was presented by Ethan Busby and Svannah Aguirre. The students sand "Thank You, Soldier," and closing remarks were given by Miguel Tafoya.

Piercy had asked that the veterans sign a T-shirt when they signed in before the ceremony. She became quite emotional when she explained why she had requested their signatures. "I work at the best school in Silver City," she said.

"I'm running a marathon on Veterans' Day in honor of all veterans," she choked back tears. "I will honor all you veterans."

The veterans honored at the ceremony were:
Frank Donohue- US Marine Corps- Vietnam
Lon Streib- US Army-Vietnam—Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent
Gabriel Ramos- Army National Guard- Gulf War
Steve Armendariz- US Army- Vietnam
Richard Hughes- US Navy- Desert Storm
Dan McBride-US Army Paratrooper WWII
Pete Salas Sr. –US Navy & Army Reserve- Vietnam & Desert Storm
Bryant Jamison- US Navy- 1st & 2nd Gulf War
Robert Duarte- US Air Force- Vietnam
Henry Morales- US Army- Vietnam
Jeff Larkin- US Army- Desert Storm
Richard Bessette- US Army- Cold War
Mike Peelman- US Army- Vietnam
Trent Petty- US Air Force- Vietnam
Richard Carbajal- US Air Force- Cold War
Derek Lisec- US Navy- Desert Storm
George Brown- US Navy- Korea
Darrick Nelson- US Army- 1st Gulf War Desert Storm
James Maestas- US Army- Vietnam
Freddie Diaz- US Air Force- Vietnam
John William Fleming IV- US Army- Vietnam, Bosnia
James Zawacki- US Air Force- Vietnam
Martin Rael- US Army- Vietnam
Freddie Jimenez- US Army- Vietnam
Candace Southerland- US Navy- Peacetime
Keith Brown- US Air Force- Peacetime
Joe Arellano- US Army- Peacetime
Gary Montenegro- US Army- Afghanistan
Richard Jones- US Air Force- Vietnam
Merejildo Rivera- US Marine Corps- Korea
Zach Crosson- US Army- Iraq
Peyton O’Hare- US Navy-Iraq & Afghanistan
Hank Pavlockovich- US Army- Vietnam
Donald Stinar- National Guard- Vietnam Era
Jake Martinez- US Air Force- Afghanistan Freedom
Joe Hooten- US Army- Vietnam Era
Bill Trotter- US Army- Vietnam
John Tedford- US Air Force- Afghanistan
Reggie Price- US Air Force- Afghanistan
Edmundo Casares- US Navy- Cuban Crisis
Xavier Peña- Active Duty- US Army- Fort Benning
John Carreon- Active Duty- US Army- Afghanistan
Major Timothy Zamora- Active Duty- US Army- Iraq & Afghanistan
Sam Jones- US Army- Veterans Affairs
Ray Gonzalez- US Army- Vietnam- Color Guard Member
Julian Jacquez- US Navy- Vietnam- Color Guard Member
Rikky Grinnie- US Army- Vietnam- Color Guard Member
Paul Madrid- US Army- Vietnam- Color Guard Member
Bobby Polanco- US Marine Corps- Vietnam- Color Guard Member
Jim Begay- US Army- Vietnam Era- Color Guard Member
Jose A. Ray Jr.- US Army- Vietnam

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy and Melia Moore