Fifth grade students at Pella Christian Grade School marched in formation to Fair Haven East on Monday to celebrate Veterans Day.

After marching from the school to Fair Haven East, students had the opportunity to view the World War II memorial and interview veterans about their time serving in different branches of the United States Military. Marion County Commission of Veteran Affairs Executive Director Rob Bandstra says that his goal with events like this is to honor veterans who fought for our freedoms.

“Those veterans represent less than one percent of the total demographics of the United States of America. In my mind, that makes them special. But whether they served at home, far away, wherever they may have served, they contributed and they sacrificed. They may have sacrificed their time, they may have sacrificed their youth, some of them may have sacrificed their bodies, but they all made sacrifices for a greater cause and I’m just here to honor them today.”

Find photos of the Pella Christian fifth grade students’ march to Fair Haven East below.