At the Orcas Island Elementary Veteran Appreciation Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 7 veterans were honored for their service.

“As a wife of a veteran, thank you for your support of the troops,” said Elementary Principal Kathy Page, who has organized the event for the past two years.

Five elementary students read “letters to veterans,” thanking them for their bravery and for protecting their families and freedom.

The fifth and eighth grade choir sang “On Veteran’s Day” and the Community Band played patriotic tunes. Tom Ritter, who joined the Navy in 1954, spoke about his family members that served in the Civil War, World War I and World War II.

“One reason we feel so safe is that the military has suffered to keep us free,” he said.

County Councilman Rick Hughes and Army Colonel John Natterstad also spoke at the event.

The ceremony comes at a pivotal time not just because Veteran’s Day is on Nov. 11 but because of the major pullout happening in key bases in Afghanistan. It remains unclear what will happen to the country that the U.S. has been at war with for 13 years.

For the children at the Orcas Island Elementary School the larger picture of the war may not be clear, but it is evident that despite the unstable future of Afghanistan they view U.S. service members at the ultimate heroes.