Students at Carbon Career and Technical Institute paid tribute to all veterans during an assembly on Monday.

Members of the National Technical Honor Society organized the program to honor our veterans.

The tribute was held because many students at CCTI have family members, who have served or who are currently serving our country. Also, many alumni of the school have gone on to service in the nations’ armed forces.

The Veterans Day ceremony featured members of the American Legion Post 304 in Jim Thorpe and 123 in Lansford.

Martha Moyer sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and Gil Henry conducted the invocation. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Noah Bryfogle, a senior engineering technology student.

Dave Reinbold, the director of CCTI, recognized all the veterans in attendance and also the veterans employed at the school. He encouraged the students to remember veterans, their family members, and in particular those veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifices.

Samantha Muthard, a senior in the Drafting Design Technology Department and vice president of the National Technical Honor Society, recited the “Veterans Poem.”

Jalin Burns, president of NTHS, introduced the keynote speaker Sergeant First Class Tim Kromer, National Guard retired. He spoke about his family’s time in the military and the importance of honoring our veterans.

Sue Ann Gerhard, National Technical Honor Society adviser, said, “What veterans have given our country is beyond our power to fully repay; yet, today we recognize our debt to their honor. And on this national holiday, our hearts are filled with respect and gratitude for the veterans of the United States of America.

“From the administration, faculty, staff and students at CCTI, we thank you for your service to our nation.”

A video, which was created by the digital marketing and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) students, conveyed what Veteran’s Day means to the students and the importance of showing appreciation to veterans for their service to our country.

CCTI’s Principal Michelle Allen thanked all the veterans who were present for taking time out of their busy days to share their patriotism with the staff and students.

“Yearly, CCTI takes time to honor, to recognize you and all the veterans and current military personnel serving our country in the U.S. and around the world. We appreciate all your service to our country and have the utmost respect for our service members,” she said.

Allen then encouraged the students by saying, “Students, please take this time to reflect and honor the heroes present today and don’t forget to honor those friends, family, and community members you know that have served our country. To the veterans, thank you again for preserving our freedom and keeping us safe.”

All veterans participating in the ceremony were honored with certificates and a small token for their service.

They were then served brunch by the students in the Culinary Department at CCTI.