Veterans and their families filed into the Owens Middle School cafeteria on Tuesday morning as the honors band performed a medley of patriotic songs.
The ceremony marked the first of its kind in the new school.
'I am so excited to welcome our veterans here today for our program to celebrate you and to show our gratitude and thanks for all that you have done for this country,' Owens Middle School Principal Pamela Foster said.
Owens No Place for Hate President Hope Norrils gave the introduction.
'As Americans, Veterans Day is a special occasion, a time for us to pause, reflect and show our respect,' Hope said. '… There is no greater example of service in the entire community than the ones of our veterans who went to war for us, fought for our independence and [kept] us safe, even if they didn't know exactly who they were sacrificing their lives for.'
While sporting her Army shirt in honor of him, Hope mentioned her veteran father, Andre Norrils, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
'Looking out and seeing everyone here together— different generations and backgrounds, genders—… is what this is all about,' Hope said. 'It's a perfect picture of America, really.'
Andre said later that he was grateful but surprised she wanted to speak about his service.
'It was real nice,' he said of hearing her perspective on Veterans Day.
Marine Jeff Perry, who serves as the mayor pro tem of the Aubrey City Council, spoke about signing up to serve as a 17-year-old and what it means to recognize his fellow service members.
'It's a time to pause and recognize the men, women, ordinary Americans like you and me who made the choice to serve our country,' he said. 'Veterans come from all walks of life. We're your neighbors, your teachers, your coaches and your family members.
'Some of us served in peacetime; some in war. Some veterans saw combat. Some served behind the scenes. But all of them made the same promise to protect and defend the United States of America.' Perry also encouraged the kids to serve their community now by being there for their fellow students.
'You don't have to wear a uniform to serve your country,' Perry said. 'Service can be helping a classmate who's struggling, standing up for someone who's being treated unfairly, volunteering in your community.'
He also asked veterans of each of the branches to stand one at a time.
The only branch not represented at the event was the Space Force, which is the newest branch of the military.
In addition to the speeches, the honors band and the choir performed patriotic pieces.
No Place For Hate sponsor Alisha McCormick, who organized the event, saw it as an opportunity to honor her family members who served.
'Both my grandfathers were veterans and my uncle's a veteran, and I haven't been able to really do much to … pay tribute to them, so I figured since they're not here, I can do at least this for other veterans,' she said.
AISD Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor attended several Veterans Day events across the district, including at Owens, saying she felt 'the swelling in the heart and the pride of just honoring these people who've sacrificed so much for our country.'
'I'm a mom of a vet and a daughter of a vet,' Saylor said. 'Both served in the Army. It's just huge that we can continue to honor these people who are sacrificing for their country.'
