East Lyme — Students filled the bleachers at East Lyme High School on Wednesday for an all-school assembly of music, history and reflection to honor on Veterans Day those who served.

High school teacher Henry Kydd, one of the event's organizers, began the assembly by sharing with students the "simple, but perfect" response of his 6-year-old daughter when he asked her why we honor veterans today: "Because they protect us and they do good things."

"Today we pay tribute to the American Armed Services," he said, addressing the student body, teachers, administrators and about 30 veterans who were special guests at the assembly. "This is our tiny, little gift back to you, for all that all of you have given," he said.

The assembly featured the presentation of colors, student performances of "America the Beautiful," "Stars and Stripes" and "Amazing Grace," and applause for veterans.

Veterans of each branch of the military shared their creeds, while students outlined the history of each branch during the ceremony that focused on the themes of honor, duty and country.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Lewis Buckley, the keynote speaker and a former director of the U.S. Coast Guard Band, said the country is now very good at thanking veterans, having learned from the treatment of those who returned from the Vietnam War.

But he said the country still has two deep-seated responsibilities: one, to not send veterans into situations where they shouldn't be and make sure war is the very last resort; and two, to take care of veterans when they come home.

He referenced the need for the country to find a way to solve continuing challenges, such as long waiting times at veterans hospitals. 

He said that while many Americans are working for progress, he called on students to be aware of the issues as they become voters.  

"They don't call it serving for nothing. They don't call it the armed services for nothing. One thing all veterans have in common is the urge to serve," said Buckley, referencing veterans' involvement in police and fire departments and as EMTs. "They are people that deserve our support, but even more basic than that, I think there is no more fundamental responsibility of a nation than that if we send people into harm's way, we take care of them when they get home."

Teacher Shannon Saglio reflected on a visit to the 9/11 Memorial last Friday and the heroism of first-responders and members of the armed forces.

She left students with the message that their actions could honor those that served the country, even after the ceremony concludes.

"We must always value our freedoms and privileges," she told students. "We must lead by example, recognizing our actions matter and influence others. We must have the courage to stand up to adversity, discrimination and hatred in all forms from stereotypes to hostile political discourse or to the blatant acts of injustice. For these are the very things that break down our democratic society that our brave men and women of the armed forces serve and fight to protect. As the 9/11 Memorial reminded us on Friday, we must value each and every day."

At the event, teacher Scott Mahon sang "Superman" by Five for Fighting, while a slideshow played showing photos of members of the armed services and veterans. 

Representing the U.S. Army at the ceremony was retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Gran; representing the U.S. Navy was retired Chief Yeoman Perry Wyatt, a father of two East Lyme High School students; representing the U.S. Air Force was Lt. Colonel Peter Clement, a father of two East Lyme High School graduates; and representing the U.S. Marine Corps was Victoria Kiszka, a platoon honors graduate and company high shooter, whose sister is a guidance counselor within the school district, according to biographies read aloud.

The event was the second annual Veterans Day assembly at the high school, while other Veterans Day events were held around the school district on Wednesday.

A committee of teachers from each department of the high school helped plan the event and students were involved, too, from speeches to a luncheon for veterans prepared by the high school's culinary department, said Kydd.

The High School's Honor Society conducted a fundraiser and an item drive to benefit homeless veterans living at the Vet House on Mountain Avenue in New London and run by the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, Kydd said.

Several veterans from the Vet House also attended Wednesday's assembly.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich