Photos: Highland Ranch Elementary Salutes Military Veterans

In an early celebration of Veterans Day, Highland Ranch Elementary School students on Thursday welcomed to campus their military parents and paid tribute to those who have served the country.

"I'm thankful for my grandpa who is in the Navy to keep our country safe," said kindergartener Joe Gilliam, the first of a line of student speakers with messages and poems.

The student body, military members in and out of uniform and other parents opened the morning on the playground for the celebration, led by the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums.

First-grader Reagan Mangin, in her speech, said, "I'm thankful for my mom and my dad and all the Marine Corps."

Highland Ranch's celebration also included birthday wishes for the U.S. Marine Corps, which was founded 236 years ago Thursday.

Second-grader Sean McGurrell talked about the line of veterans in his family: his uncle, who served in the Vietnam War, and his dad, who went to Somalia for Desert Storm.

Nick Angelo, also in second grade, said Veterans Day in his eyes is a time to "honor and respect the people who have fought in wars and tried to get freedom for us."

"I think they deserve a day off, too," Nick said.

Sophia Bertucci, a third-grader, said her dad served in Iraq. Fellow third-grader Jaden Blackshear explained why troops are important.

"Our military members are special because they put themselves in danger to keep us safe," Jaden said.

Next was William Crooks.

"We should honor those that helped our country be free," the fourth grade student said.

The final student speaker was fifth-grader Aryana Shuler, who said her dad is in the U.S. Navy.

"I have some friends that would want to be like you," Aryana said to the veterans.

"You are the reason we have freedom."

Find us on Facebook and Twitter @RBPatch.