The Air Force Junior ROTC program at Red River High School put on an impressive and moving Veterans Day tribute Monday morning. Area veterans were the honored guests for the program.

The Cadets ran the program. With precision they posted the colors while the Red River High Band and Choir performed the National Anthem. There were video tributes to veterans while the band performed “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and the choir joined in on “My Country Tis of Thee.”

Two highlights of the tribute were the presentation of the POW/MIA table. It is a remembrance of American’s missing and prisoners of war. The theme is “Remember” until all soldiers from all wars are finally accounted for.

Another highlight was the folding of the flag, with full explanation of the significance of each of 13 folds of the flag. This is the ceremony usually performed at a vet’s funeral before the folded flag is presented to the spouse or family members.

Major Thomas Edwards, commander of the ROTC squadron, told the gathering “We are here today to honor our vets. I want to congratulate our cadets for the outstanding job they did. They demonstrated loyalty to the veterans gathered here in this tribute to honor and thank them.”

Principal JC Dickey said, “I am impressed how many vets have come through Red River High School. Each and every year this community answers the call to serve our country. I am proud to be a part of this community and I am more thankful every day for the service you give to our country.”

Red River’s program concluded with a slide show featuring graduates from the parish and others who have served our country. The slide show is a project of Darlene Martin and it gets better and better each year.