Sixth-grader Chelsea Cook invited her dad to her school Friday. He got there early, wearing a Veterans of Foreign Wars cap decorated with a row of pins, including a good conduct medal.

Jack Cook sat in the school library with other veterans who drank coffee, ate cinnamon rolls and talked about whether they still fit into their old uniforms.

Soon a teacher came in and told a group of student mentors wearing special t-shirts, to usher the veterans downstairs into the school gymnasium. Any who needed to use the elevator could, the teacher said, which made some older vets laugh and elbow each other.

The parade of veterans representing service from World War II through Operation Iraqi Freedom streamed into the gym, where students, from what a school administrator could recall, gave them the first spontaneous burst of applause since Centennial Junior High School started its annual Veterans Day ceremony in 2002. prompted by the Sept. 11 attacks.

The school wanted to give something back to veterans but also wanted something from them: a chance to teach the students about citizenship and their country.

When it was time to begin, the principal raised up her arm to shush the students. The orchestra played, the choir sang an upbeat national anthem, and a specially chosen ninth-grader introduced the mayor to the crowd.

Renee Burgess had a request for the students. When they see a veteran, at the mall or at a restaurant, go up, and shake their hand and say thank you.

"They'll know what you mean," Burgess said. The gesture will show the young people, Burgess said, a feeling of gratitude. "If you just say it one time, you'll understand."

Two girls, who later read essays on "What America Means to Me," handed a carnation to each veteran, and the students applauded as each name was read. Several teachers, the assistant principal and the school's head custodian stood to receive their flowers.

Then the ninth-grade emcee, John Stefansen, asked "that you take the next few minutes to reflect on those who have served, and those who are serving today."

The band played "Amazing Grace," which is not easy to do on a brass instrument if you are 12.

And Principal Valerie Broughton had a request, in return, for the veterans.

"I would like you to go out into the community today, and say you were just with 650 teen-agers who were respectful during a very solemn ceremony."

Chelsea Cook found her dad after the ceremony, and hugged him.

"I think that he was very brave," she said. "I'm proud of him."

He gave her his white carnation, and she went back to class.

Reach Barbara Nordby at (307) 266-0633 or at barbara.nordby@casperstartribune.net.