Los Banos veterans were treated to early "thank yous" from school children as they kicked off Veterans Day celebrations with a series of flag raising ceremonies throughout Los Banos.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2487 and the American Legion Post 166 made the early rounds at schools to raise the American flag beginning with Volta Elementary School Wednesday morning. Visits to Henry Miller and Los Banos Elementary schools and Our Lady of Fatima were made the following day.

Children sang patriotic songs and gave speeches about the importance of remembering those who fought for freedom. Our Lady of Fatima held a small parade in its parish hall complete with floats which included performances followed by more songs and the raising of the flag by veteran Tom Hammond.

At the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery on Sunday, a group of about 200 people came to pay tribute the nation's military veterans, especially those who served during the Korean War.

In his opening address, master of ceremonies for the event, Ron Jabault of San Jose, said many of those who fought in Korea went to save a country they had never heard of.

"We were proud of them then and we must be proud of them now as they saved the country of South Korea," he said.

South Korean Air Force veteran John Moon, who served along side U.S. Marines during the war, spoke of the economic well being of his country under democratic rule.

He said America's fight to stop communist aggression on the Korean peninsula more than 50 years ago set the stage for the downfall of the Soviet Union and the recent turn of China toward a free market economy.

"Sooner or later North Korea will collapse under its own weight," he said. "So, there is still hope for reunification (of the two Koreas)."

Members of the Los Banos High School choirs performed several patriotic selections during the event, and color guards from Valley Springs and Gustine took care of the ceremonial posting of the colors.