ARLINGTON — Ten veterans received a standing ovation from the student body of Post Middle School early Friday, Nov. 7, at an assembly presented by the school’s leadership class.

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month…,” the school’s young leaders recited the famous poem in a somber tone, with images of war and poppy fields projected on the wall behind them.

The school band played “America the Beautiful” and the band teacher, Kipp Otterness, concluded the program with the melancholy sound of “Taps.”

The somber tone pervaded the event; at the end one student said it all.

“It’s depressing,” Emily Boyle said as she tried to describe how the assembly made her feel. One of the 10 veterans being honored, teacher Carole Bossarte agreed.

“I have flipped 150 degrees,” Bossarte said, adding she is against war.

Kristin Sandvig, whose grandfather was one of the vets present, read the names of all the veterans in attendance. She said she was honored to have that job.

“I was going to recite a poem, but I got nervous so I volunteered to read the names,” Sandvig said.

One of the vets honored, Dick Sass, who served in Korea and Puerto Rico in the U.S. Army from 1964 – 1968, said that it means a lot to all veterans to be recognized by young people.

“It was a wonderful ceremony,” he said.

“The kids even came up to us afterward and thanked us for our service.”