Gulf Middle student Corey Leppelmeier speaks about the Wreaths Across America program. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

Hundreds of students from Gulf Middle School celebrated the school’s 14th annual Veteran’s Day Observance on Friday morning.

Veteran’s Day was originally created by an act of Congress in 1938 to commemorate the end of World War I and was called Armistice Day until 1968.

The school was visited on Friday by elected officials from the city and school board, as well as local veterans. Lt. Col. James K. Spieth, retired from the U.S. Army Reserve, served as the master of ceremonies.

Students at the school regularly correspond with troops stationed throughout the world. The school’s “Operation Paperbacks” program asks students to choose paperback books to send soldiers. Many of the soldiers write back thanking the students for helping them to take their minds off of where they are.

“This is the fifth year that students wrote letters and picked out paperback books for soldiers serving overseas,” said Janet Bulson, teacher and project coordinator for Operation Paperbacks.

Corey Leppelmeier, senior master sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol, described the Wreaths Across America program that places thousands of wreaths on the headstones of fallen veterans. He said that 32,000 were placed in December 2007.

Principal Bill Lane told the audience how the annual observance was started 14 years-ago.

“A month after I arrived, a few veterans came and brought this idea to me,” said Lane. “Those students who sat out here are 25 or 26 now. It goes so fast so we always have to stay focused on our dreams and goals.”

Many of the students at Gulf Middle said they had veteran relatives or family members who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Services.

Tyler Hollinon, an eighth grade student, said he had two veterans in his family, including his father who was in the U.S. Coast Guard and his aunt who is a Marine in Iraq.

Another eighth grade student and member of the school’s band, Will Cunningham, said that his step-father had served in the U.S. Army for 20 years.

Near the end of the observance, Warren Baxter performed TAPS after Karoline Stadelmann, in Gulf Middle’s student government, explained the history of the song.

Gulf Middle School student Landon Day said that his favorite part of the observance was the rifle salute by the Cape Coral V.F.W. Post 8463.

“The gun shooting was really cool,” he said.

City Manager Terry Stewart represented the city council at the observance and said it was a unique event.

“There is nothing like this celebration in the rest of Lee County,” said Stewart. “I hope you remember what you do here every year.”

Lee County School Board Member Robert Chilmonik also addressed the students at Gulf Middle.

“This is my fifth year coming,” he said. “When you go home, talk to your parents and grandparents and ask them about their service.”