By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena Middle School welcomed many local military veterans and their families to honor them at an assembly on Monday, Nov. 9 in the school gymnasium.

Students, families and many veterans packed the gym for the assembly that was held two days before Veteran’s Day to recognize those that served.

Helena Middle School Principal Scott Knight is happy to host the assembly every year.

“This is my favorite program we do every year and it shows how much we appreciate them,” said Knight. “My favorite part is the playing of the different marches of the military branches from our band.”

Knight said that the assembly is completely student-led by the schools SGA organization.

The sponsors for the assembly were Rebekkah Hess and Alan Wilson who helped run the assembly.

The HMS choir sang the National Anthem and the HMS band played various patriotic music in the program. The band played the different marches for the different marches of service and flags were brought out for the different branches of military.

A video that included a slideshow of pictures of the different veterans who were there and more were also shown.

After the assembly, a reception for families and veterans was held in the cafeteria that included food and refreshments.

“I think our veterans program is really good and we work hard on it,” said Knight. “we’re very proud of it.”