'If you love your country, thank a vet'

PACE — Dozens of parents, teachers and nearly 800 students dressed in red gathered at S.S. Dixon Primary School on Thursday morning to celebrate Veterans Day.

The morning was cold and wet, but that didn’t stop the Patriot Ponies from celebrating their country’s veterans. The ceremony, originally planned to be outside at the flag pole, was held in the multipurpose room.

The color guard from NAS Whiting Field presented the colors to kick off the ceremony. Relatives of Dixon students who currently serve or once served in the military sat in the crowd, dressed in their uniforms.

Students from kindergarten to second grade were dressed in red, held small American flags and donned patriotic hats they made in class.

Groups of students from each grade level performed patriotic songs for the audience.

Eyes filled with tears when students sang “Thank a Vet.”