Students and staff — many dressed in red, white and blue — united in the gym in a show of patriotism to recognize military veterans ahead of the federal holiday on Tuesday.

The celebration featured student poetry, interviews, art, music, and some historical facts about Veterans Day. The presentations included an acknowledgement of the Navajo Code Talkers honoring Native American veterans.

The district extends invitations to members of the local VFW, American Legion as well as the Seneca Nation American Legion. More than 30 veterans were in attendance Friday as guests of students and staff.

The assembly is a schoolwide effort. Grade-level educators devote time teaching about the holiday while practicing presentation skills. Students also performed a medley of songs for the guests before a slideshow featuring area veterans closed the ceremony.

The Parent Teacher Organization also provided a warm welcome and refreshments for the veterans in the cafeteria prior to the assembly.

Schools are closed Tuesday in observance of Veterans Day.