In a patriotic display of red, white and blue, Los Alisos Middle School and Southeast Academy celebrated the commitment of U.S. Armed Forces veterans during Los Alisos’ 10th annual Veterans Day flag-folding ceremony on Nov. 9.

“We are here today to perform the flag folding ceremony in order to show you that the efforts of our veterans to attain peace throughout the world have not been in vain and shall not be forgotten,” Southeast Academy senior cadet Daisy Ruiz said.

Los Alisos Principal Mike Garcia explained to students the origins of Veterans Day, observed annually on Nov. 11, to commemorate the conclusion of World War I, which formally ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The first Veterans Day was observed on Nov. 11, 1919.

Los Alisos Associated Student Body President Daisy Esquivel led the students in the Pledge of Allegiance, while eighth-graders Necole Rebugio and Angelmae Awang sang the National Anthem.

A recording of bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” accompanied the 11-member unit conducting the flag-folding ceremony under the command of Southeast senior and Battalion Commander Isaac Cervantes. The flag was folded 12 times, each fold representing a principle of American freedom.

“Thank you to our veterans for serving our country and protecting our way of life,” NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian said. “We will spend our Veterans Day honoring your dedication to preserving our democracy.”

After the ceremony, Southeast Academy cadets, which included three former Los Alisos students, performed a drill exhibition, while Southeast Director and Master Sgt. Marty Schafer, encouraged Los Alisos students to learn more about the public service career pathway high school.

To conclude the program, Los Alisos history teacher Ron Carroll, a former Marine Corp lance corporal, asked students to spend their extra day off to reflect on the sacrifices veterans made for their country.

“These are our heroes, some who have paid the ultimate price,” Carroll said. “They felt the need to serve their country and to protect our free society.”

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111416_NLMUSD_FLAGFOLDING: Southeast Academy students participated in the 10th annual flag folding ceremony at Los Alisos Middle School in honor of U.S. Armed Forces veterans Nov. 9.