Verbena High School held a Veterans Day ceremony in the school auditorium Friday morning to honor local military service members.

Early Popwell, a Korean War veteran, spoke to students, faculty and fellow veterans about his military stints in Korea and Japan.

Popwell said he enlisted in the United States Army in 1947 at age 18.

Although he had a close call with a sniper once, Popwell said he was never in combat.

“I’m glad to be able to speak to all of these students,” Popwell said.

VHS Principal Kelvin Boulware and Vice-Principal Dwight Swindle, veterans themselves, recognized the service of Vietnam veteran Barney Foshee and comrades.

They thanked all of the veterans who attended Friday’s ceremony and honored fallen military servicemen in a PowerPoint presentation.

“I ask the students at this time to recognize the history that’s in front of you by giving these veterans a round of applause,” Swindle said. “Some paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country in the way they do.”

Also during the program, senior Omar Brito-Estrada led the Pledge of Allegiance, the Verbena High School Red Devil Regiment performed the National Anthem, a seventh grade class sang “A Grateful Nation” and senior class president Jarred Penton provided a history of Veterans Day.

A U.S. military veteran gave benediction.