Local High School honors Veterans Published Nov. 13, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A local high school thanked local service members during an assembly Nov. 11. As the doors of Burkburnett High School were open in Wichita Falls, Texas, members of the armed forces went to an assembly in their honor, greeted by enthusiastic students handing out miniature flags with gleeful smiles. In the gym auditorium where the assembly took place, the bleachers were packed with audience members in uniform and civilian clothes alike. As the assembly kicked off with the singing of the national anthem, there was both a somber and festive atmosphere across the area. For Brad Owen, high school principal, the event held a sense of meaning in a community that is heavily influenced by the military. "It's to honor our veterans that have fought and are still fighting today," he said. "Our relationship with Sheppard Air Force Base and the fact that our students are about 34 percent military makes it an even more important time to recognize that there is something they can do above and beyond themselves." The assembly also featured performances from the school's local Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp and a band performance. Many service members such as Airman 1st Class Katelin Lalonde, 782nd Training Group knowledge operations manager, found the performance to be a morale raiser. "I felt proud to be in the United States Air Force," she said. "It was nice that amount of people gave support. It lets everyone know what we do and reinforces our mindset." Owen credited Veterans Day with giving his students a sense of unity and happiness in their local area. "It not only boosts pride in our country and local school, it gives people something to stand for," he said. As the assembly ended, students exited outside into a community that had the unique trait of hosting over 60,000 military personnel.