CERRO GORDO - The sight of a dozen military veterans gathered around the podium brought scores of adults in the high school gymnasium and all 600 students enrolled in Cerro Gordo schools to their feet not once, but twice.

Their applause lasted nearly a minute the first time and more than 30 seconds the second time.

"It is a great honor and a privilege for me to be here with these great Americans who have served our country," Superintendent Brett Robinson said into the microphone. "Today in your classes, you will learn more about the history of Veterans Day, but I'm going to point out a few key elements."

An opening ceremony, featuring a color guard by members of American Legion Post 117 and music from the school band and choir, was how Cerro Gordo joined the minority of public school districts in Macon County and Illinois on Tuesday by having school on Veterans Day.

District officials decided it was the best way to honor veterans and ensure students understood and appreciated what the day is all about, Robinson said.

Second- and third-graders gave those veterans who came forward dozens of poppies made of paper and plastic, then one of them stepped up to give back to the school district in return.

Army Sgt. Troy Nailer, who has served in Iraq and whose 14-year-old son, Andrew, is an eighth-grader at Cerro Gordo Middle School, presented a U.S. flag in a case from the Army and National Guard and several pins soldiers receive when they return home.

"There were a few of us who took it upon ourselves to say they should go to the community, too," Nailer said. "If you don't have support at home, you're not going to have support over there."

Afterward, activities at the middle school included students decorating paper flags with their handprints, graphing war casualties, creating a timeline of major conflicts and writing letters to servicemen and servicewomen.

At the elementary school, fifth-graders were learning about Medal of Honor winners, fourth-graders were studying veterans memorials, third-graders were reading letters sent home by servicemen and servicewomen and second-graders were making placemats for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Danville.

Many students also heard from veterans who stayed to tell them about their experiences serving their country.

Bill Conley, commander of American Legion Post 117, said he was happy to see the day unfold.

"This is a tremendous tribute to all our vets," he said. "I'm extremely proud the school district decided to do this."

Eighth-grader Jacob McNamara, 13, and sixth-grader Josie St. Pierre, 11, were among 18 students who got to hear more about Nailer's four deployments overseas during his 25-year career with the Army.

Jacob said he was amazed to hear how duty once required Nailer's unit to keep going in Iraq, even after an improvised explosive device destroyed the truck that had been following them.

"There are downsides to being in the service, but those are the risks you have to take to fight for freedom," he said. "I'd like to do that when I grow up."

Josie said it was more productive to be in school than to have the day off.

"Instead of sitting around doing nothing, we are talking about Veterans Day," she said. "It's a lot better."

tchurchill@herald-review.com|421-7978