BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott County school will show gratitude to those who've served the country while teaching its students during its annual ceremony honoring veterans.
The annual "Thank a Veteran" assembly will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 18 in the gymnasium at Kelly High School in Benton.
"Every year we've had the program, it's gone great," Kelly High School Principal Dan Hecht said. "It's my favorite day of the year."
Hecht, who is in his eighth year as principal at Kelly High, taught social studies for several years prior.
"The program generally lasts about 45 minutes and then we serve a Thanksgiving meal to all the veterans and their spouses," Hecht said. "Everybody is invited and any branch of service."
This year's featured speaker for the program is Vietnam War veteran Lt. Col. Rick Sherman, who formerly taught at New Madrid County Central High School for 20 years,
"He has a tremendous story to share about searching for prisoners of war," Hecht said.
Hecht said having an event to thank the veterans when it's so close to Thanksgiving holiday makes the occasion even more special.
"It's the week before Thanksgiving, and it doubles up and allows us to be on campus together for an hour or two hours and eat a nice meal," he said.
In addition to thanking and meeting veterans, the program also gives the veterans a chance to connect with one another, Hecht said.
For example, last year's ceremony acquainted two local veterans, who found they had something in common.
"After the ceremony, two of the veterans who served in the Navy were talking and they found out they served on the same ship at the same time but had never met before the ceremony," Hecht said.
Tom Austin of rural Sikeston, who is a veteran of the Army, has helped organize the ceremony for the past six years.
"We always do it the Friday after Veterans Day so if they have commitments on Veterans Day, they can still make it to both of them," Austin previously said about Kelly's ceremony.
Last year between 40 and 50 veterans attended the ceremony. In 2014, 46 veterans from throughout the area attended the event. In previous years, attendance was between 12 and 14, he said.
The event is open to veterans of the community and students in grades 6-12 at Kelly High School.
"We try to incorporate help from the student groups," the principal said.
For example, the middle school choir will sing and the high school band will perform. Local Cub Scouts will post the colors. The middle school's Beta Club members will help serve the meal, and the high school Student Council members will escort the veterans. Also the high school art club is working on decorations for the occasion.
"Anytime we can spread the message how valuable veterans are to our community, it's the least we can do," Hecht said.