SHELBYVILLE - More than 120 veterans, many with their families, enjoyed a Veterans Day program, including music, flags and a reception Friday as the guests of Moulton Middle School.

The annual event drew former servicemen and women from throughout Central Illinois.

Ralph Bly of Beecher City is an Air Force veteran of the Korean War with a modern-day interest in the fate of American military personnel.

"I have a stepgrandson who's a Marine in Iraq and a grandson who's in training with the Navy," he said. "I wish they could have seen this."

Sitting with Bly was Bailey Ambrose, a sixth-grade student from Shelbyville. She said learning about the contributions of America's military is easier when it comes from the source.

"We learned about everything the military had done and then to have them here, it's really interesting," she said.

Nearby, Ed Tipsword of Taylorville, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War, enjoyed cookies and punch with his niece's husband, Jim Cloe, another Air Force veteran.

"This is really special," he said. "The music was wonderful. I just heard about this and thought I'd come over and see it. I'm really glad I did. I'd come back."

The program, which included musical tributes by Moulton students and the Mount Zion High School Drum Line, won warm appreciation from the veterans. Five-year-old Alexis Cutler's rendition of "My Country 'tis of Thee" also drew praise.

"She didn't miss a note," said Army veteran David Mochel. "It was amazing."

Moulton teacher Angie Temples, who organized the event, said the Veterans Day program is the culmination of a learning module for students that includes World War II.

"The teachers really have gotten behind this," she said. "We have math lessons where they're figuring statistics and percentages, history of course, science and English and reading all geared towards this one topic."

Mochel said the sight of so many veterans standing as their branches of the service were honored was inspiring.

"I was so proud, the hair stood up on the back of my neck," he said. "I've never come to this event, but you can bet I'll be back next year."

Sharon Mosley can be reached at sharonhrnews@yahoo.com.