Audrey Picardi, a first grade student at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, proudly walked next to her grandpa, Peter Picardi, who served as an Air Force lieutenant in the Vietnam War, as he drove his scooter through the hallways with one hand extended to give high-fives to kids waving flags and expressing gratitude for his military service.

“It feels good to have my grandpa here today,” Audrey Picardi said.

Peter Picardi was one of about 80 veterans to participate in Friday’s Veterans Day events at PVE. The school hosted its annual event in the morning, including a breakfast buffet for the vets and their student in the cafeteria, a parade through the hallway and a whole-school assembly full of music in the gymnasium.

“These veterans are the heroes of the country,” said PVE Principal Roger Pomposello, who always dresses as Uncle Sam for this event. “And these students are our future. They got a lot of spirit.”

Music teacher Jo Sponsler led the children in a variety of patriotic songs.

“This is pretty cool,” said Darius Paulin, a first grade student as he sat with his family members.

His mom, Loan Paulin, currently serves in the U.S. Army at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Dressed in full uniform and holding Darius’ baby brother, she felt honored to attend with her son and her niece, Aalliyah Paulin, also in first grade.

Paulin said she was headed to Pleasant Valley Intermediate School later to attend Veterans Day events with her two older children.

Bill Bourn, who served 30 years with the U.S. Marines and lives in Shawnee, stood in the buffet line with his grandson, Tristan Miller, a fourth grade student.

“This is my first time at this event because this is Tristan’s first year in this school,” said Bourn. “We’re going to have brunch here, then the assembly and go to Country Junction.”

Miller’s birthday was Sunday, and he said he was enjoying the time spent with his grandfather and the other veterans that gathered in the auxiliary gym for brunch.

Following the Brunch with the Brave, veterans and their students moved to the gymnasium.

Vice Principal Lauren Bencker welcomed the veterans and family members.

“We are here to honor all veterans from all war times and times of peace. We are honoring the active and retired veterans that have given us our freedom today,” Bencker said.

Malcolm Heffley, a 97-year-old Army National Guard and Merchant Marine veteran, was the keynote speaker. Kayla Lotti, fourth grade teacher, is his granddaughter.

He joined the National Guard in 1945 and later went with his unit to Georgia to train. Some of them were sent to Korea, others like Heffley were sent to Philadelphia.

“We took our baths from our hats. There were no latrines. It was bitter cold, but we survived,” he recalled.

When he was done speaking, he showed the crowd some of the dance moves he still has.

Then, Athena Yeager, music teacher and chorus director, led the fourth and fifth grade chorus in a few songs. A group of students recited a poem about sacrifices made by veterans.

Fourth grade teacher Jenny Kuntz played guitar and sang “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood.