Royal blue skies arched over the Veterans Appreciation Ceremony hosted by the Los Lunas High School and their Army Junior ROTC "Tiger" Battalion on Tuesday.

Students who attended sat at the surrounding tables chatting quietly before the start of the ceremony.

JROTC cadets marched in formation to form a crescent around the perimeter of the school courtyard facing the seated veterans. Not a sound could be heard from the crowd while the Color Guard marched into the yard, just the roll of the drum and the cadence of marching steps as they posted the colors.

Master of Ceremonies Major Michael Mike Lloyd invited the vets and attending crowd to rise for the pledge of allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by cadet First Lt. Elissabeth Phipps.

The history of Veterans Day begins at the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month in 1918 when a temporary cease fire, or armistice was declared between the allied nations and Germany in WWI.

The following year, "Armistice Day" was remembered and celebrated.

In 1921, on Nov. 11, an unidentified American soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

In 1938, Nov. 11 became a legal holiday. After efforts by veterans' organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

The local cadets spoke about the meaning of Veterans Day, and recited the "Ode of Remembrance" from Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen."

Taps was played by Los Lunas High School Band director Henry Estrada for all the soldiers who have died in the wars. A special wreath laying ceremony was performed by cadets for the unknown soldier.

A bucket of soil symbolizing the soil he or she fought for was ceremoniously placed under the wreath, then the gun was carried out, boots and hat followed, each saluted in tribute by a high school cadet.

As the last notes of taps strained the air, a moment of silence prevailed.

WWII veteran Manuel Duran said the ceremony has gotten better every year.

"Major Lloyd has done a very good job," Duran said. "It's something to look forward to every year.

"I tried to enlist three times," Duran remembered. "I was 15 years old. I was told I was too young. Finally, they accepted me into the Navy. I was living in Raton at the time, and I was sent to California. From there, I spent 15 months in the Philippine Islands.

"They call us the 'greatest generation.'" he continued. "We can't let the schools forget WWII. We can't let the kids forget, or the teachers."

Duran said he received his honorary diploma in 2007.

Words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "America the Beautiful" were passed out by the cadets to the crowd, and everyone joined their voices in tribute.

Korean War veteran Trinadad Chavez said, "The Korean War was a very bad war. Three of my best friends came back in body bags."

Sgt. Joshua Lederer stood by the veterans' seating area.

"I'm on emergency leave. My mother was hospitalized. I'll be in Los Lunas until Nov. 30," said Lederer, who has served two tours in Iraq. "I'm stationed in Ft. Lewis in Washington."

His brother, Sgt. Jason Lederer, was also in attendance, and said he has served seven years in the service.

"I got out in 2006," Jason Lederer said. "I look forward to being home with my daughters Rileigh and Emmalei."

Roy Gilliam of the American Legion at Post 81 in Belen, and his wife Pat, said the memorial service was outstanding and a real tribute.

Ceremonies concluded with benediction and the retirement of the flags.

Chavez said he was disappointed in the omission of recognition for the Korean War by Maj. Lloyd.

"I forgot the Cold War, too," said Lloyd, "And I'm of the Cold War period and even forgot myself. I am deeply sorry for both omissions."