Moultonborough Central School students and staff gathered on Tuesday morning to participate in the school's 12th annual Veterans Day assembly to remember those who served the country in wars past and present.

"We felt like nothing was really being done for the veterans and the kids were having the day off but they didn't really know what it was all about," art teacher Terry Dempsey said. "Some of those children in the audience today may be veterans some day and they should understand what it is all about."

Each year since 1998 the school has invited veterans from the community to be part of the assembly. The first year of the assembly there were only six veterans that could attend. Dempsey said that over the past 11 years, the assembly has since grown, and on Tuesday more than 40 veterans were present to help celebrate with the students.

"Each year it has grown and every year it changes," Dempsey said. "We have some of the same ones that return and then there are new ones including parents, grandparents, brothers and so on."

Dempsey remembers his father, who was a veteran, every time the assembly is held at the school and believes it's important for the children and everyone in the community to remember veterans on this holiday. During the assembly, students sang patriotic songs and watched a slide show with photos of members of the community who are currently serving and those veterans currently living and who have passed away.

"I thought the assembly went wonderful today," Dempsey said. "I think it has really taught the children to respect them and understand what it's all about."

Photos were hung throughout the school of veterans from the community who are currently serving in the armed forces as well as those who have served in past wars and conflicts.

"We wanted to bring up the present members of the military right now so the students can respect what they are doing," he said.

Dempsey started hanging the photos a few years ago as a way for the students and staff to remember their loved ones.

Veterans attending the assembly were welcomed by the students at the front door with handmade banners in red, white and blue. After the assembly, Veterans were invited to stay for lunch, which was provided by the school.

"I don't think they could have done a better job here today," said Ken Dyrsten of Laconia. "I was just pleased with everything from coming in through the front door and right on through to lunch."

Dyrsten was in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1962 to1966 during the Vietnam War. He had attended the assembly at Moultonborough a few years back and was pleased with what the students had done on Tuesday to welcome all the veterans. Dyrsten said he plans on attending the ceremony in Laconia today (Veterans Day) which is taking place in Veterans Square.

Brett Balise of Moultonborough served in the Marine Corps just after the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s. This was the second year he has attended the assembly.

"I appreciate the fact that the students are appreciating us," Balise said. "It's a time to reflect upon past experiences and reflect back on some of the guys I served with."

Les Smith of Moultonborough also served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam era from 1971 to 1975. He said overall the assembly was positive and was well done.

"The assembly was great and the kids were wonderful," Smith said. "They were very appreciative. I think it's really good for them to see all different ages, with Veterans from World War II to present day."

Smith has made it to the assembly almost every year since it began. Each year he comes back because of the social aspect of the event with the other veterans as well as the children who welcome them so kindly.