Thousands of Marion County students were out of the classroom but still learning a valuable lesson Tuesday.

A few years ago, the district asked local veterans groups if they thought students should have the day off from school on Veterans Day. They said they wanted them to learn something important.

So they traveled to Veterans Memorial Park, where bricks list the battles that helped shape our nation and contain the names of the local veterans who fought for our freedom.

They were joined by the veterans who lived the history they are learning about.

“I lost a lot of men, they should know about it,” Korean War Veteran Doug Court said.

“Veterans Day is a day about the men and women who protect who we sometimes neglect,” Hammett Bowen student Julianna Gomez said, reading a poem she had written.

“It’s very awesome, it makes your heart feel good,” Korean War Veteran Sam Haley said.

Fifth grader Jasmine Lopez is well aware of the sacrifices members of the military make. Her mom is in the Army.

“They should thank the veterans that they see not just on Veterans Day, but every day,” Lopez told her classmates.

For logistical reasons, not every student can be at the ceremony. Todd Tucker pulled his grandchildren out of school today so they could see firsthand what it means to be an American.

‘I wanted them to know what price has been paid and the service all of our veterans have done," said Tucker, a U.S. Army veteran.

The ceremony included a flyover, musical selections by student choirs and bands, presentation of colors and precision drills by JROTC students, a wreath laying by local families, 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.