Veterans Day served as a special day of honor and recognition for local veterans as South Houston Intermediate students, faculty and staff held a ceremony in their honor.

“It’s important for our students to learn to honor our soldiers because our country stands for freedom,” said South Houston Intermediate’s principal Laura Gomez. “Without our soldiers, we wouldn’t have freedom. We need to continue to educate our students and learn from history.”

The school honored more than 18 local veterans from different branches of the service who were invited to the ceremony as guests of teachers and students. With the gym donned in red, white and blue, South Houston High School’s NJROTC began the program with the presentation of colors, and the NJROTC also performed a drill demonstration.

The intermediate school’s band played the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ and the orchestra played the ‘American Tribute.’ The school’s choir also performed the ‘Song for the Unsung Heroes.’

Hilton Koch, owner of Hilton Furniture and the Houston Comets, served as the ceremony’s guest speaker. He reminded students that veterans have died for their freedom and to always remember Veterans Day with pride.

“As children, it’s hard to truly know what people have really sacrificed for our freedom,” Koch said. “Always remember those in our history who sacrificed everything—not only for themselves but for each and every one of us—to allow us to be where we are today.”

Koch also told students to never quit as soldiers never do.

“Quitters never win and winners never quit. The fight will go on,” he said. “This is my message for our veterans and our youth. Be responsible and respectful, and always do your best in order to be the best. We need to take advantage of all our country has to offer, which our veterans have made possible for us all.”

The school’s Pride Dancers performed a routine to ‘God Bless the USA,’ and each veteran received a certificate from the school for their service to the country.

Among the recognized veterans was Gilbert Joe Cisneros, a Purple Heart, USN good conduct, WW II Victory and Philippine Liberation medal recipient. “We must always honor and respect our brave men and women in uniform for their outstanding courage, commitment and for risking everything for the cause of freedom and democracy,” he said.

Juan Garcia was also honored for his service in the Korean War and The Forgotten War. He told the students to remember to “Support the Troops.”

“It was a great honor to serve my country,” Garcia said. “And it is still an honor to wear this uniform.”

Eighth grader Jacqueline Merrill said the ceremony was an eye-opening experience for her.

“You can achieve goals in life if you cherish the veterans and their goals,” she said. “It shows honor and respect to the country.”

Gomez said it’s a great experience for the students to be able to see the veterans in their uniform and to enforce the importance of this special day.

“It’s important for our students to see first-hand our veterans and what they have contributed to the freedom we all enjoy today,” Gomez said. “Some of our veterans were from our own community, and it’s important for our students to see them as models and show them the honor and respect they deserve. I hope the students will take today’s ceremony and begin analyzing what they, as students, can give back to others just as many of our veterans gave the ultimate gift—their lives—for us.