CROWLEY - The support and gratitude to area veterans, as well as all veterans, was evident Friday.

At local schools, programs were held.

North Crowley Elementary began their day honoring Veterans Day and welcoming six local veterans to the school. The students learned more about the history of Veterans Day as well as about the United States and its flag. The program was put on by the school's Student Council.

They were far from the only school to welcome veterans and share their gratitude, however.

Ross Head Start invited the local VFW chapter and other veterans to join the school for a simple ceremony that featured a balloon release by the teachers and the students saying the Pledge of Allegiance and singing "My Country Tis of Thee." An added bonus was the playing of Taps, which the young students watched and listened to intently.

Joining the schools in honoring the local veterans was Southwind Assisted Living. The senior community has seven veterans as residents and all were recognized during an afternoon ceremony in their dining area. The veterans and guests were treated to Sonny Pete singing the national anthem and the playing of Taps by the VFW. A presentation of a rose to each resident that is a veteran was made and it was also announced that Southwind would dedicate the coming flagpole in honor of the seven veterans.

Veterans honored throughout the day included:

North Crowley - Spc. Jeremy Langham (E-4, U.S. Army), Sgt. Shane LeJeune (E-5, USMC), Sgt. Jean LeJeune (E-5, USMC), Seamen Elridge Laughlin (E-3, U.S. Navy), Sgt. Mark Trahan (E-5, USMC) and Sgt. Don Boudreaux (E-5, U.S. Army).

Southwind - Jim Baldwin, Ralph Cowen, Leon Poche, Buster Muller, I.J. Simon, Jim Mamoulides and Alvin Chappuis.