A solemn ceremony Friday at West Middlesex High School capped a day designed to give students a deeper and more personal understanding of Veterans Day.

Students seemed to listen intently as Principal Russell Ridenbaugh greeted them with an explanation of the significance of Veterans Day: "... the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice ending World War I at the end of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918."

"Throughout history," he said, "this has been a day of celebration and remembrance of the men and women who have answered our country's call to arms, both the living and the dead."

As the high school band played the national anthem, members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233 formally posted the colors.

The student body then pronounced the Pledge of Allegiance, not facing a flag hanging passively in the corner of the room, but rather in the presence of former and present members of all branches of the armed forces, with the color guard in the position of Present Arms -- the formal salute of a military unit.

The students heard Ridenbaugh describe the meaning and significance of the American flag: "The red stripes reflect the courage and willingness to sacrifice, even life if necessary. This is heroism.

"The white stripes are the purity of purpose that we have serving under the flag ...

"The blue field covered by the stars of our states symbolizes truth and fidelity, and epresents the desires of our missing comrade for peace and happiness throughout the world.

"Our flag is the symbol of our undying love for our country. Serve it, honor it and protect it as you would your own freedoms and those of your loved ones."

The assembly culminated with a ceremony that paid tribute to those held as prisoners of war or missing in action.

Making it deeply personal was the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Garrett. Their son, Capt. Maurice Edwin Garrett Jr., a 1964 graduate of West Middlesex High School, is still listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War. Their daughter, Melanie Inman, was also a guest.

VFW Post 6233 Cmdr. Bill Brandenstein explained the meaning of each action, while Air Force vet Vince Darcangelo, commander of Disabled Veterans Chapter 55, set a symbolic dinner table.

"The table is small and set for one," Brandenstein said, "to symbolize the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors."

A white tablecloth represented the purity of the soldiers' intentions in responding to their country's call to arms. A single red rose was a reminder of the families and loved ones who keep the faith awaiting their return.

A red ribbon symbolized the determination of those who demand a proper accounting of the missing.

"A candle is lit to symbolize the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit. ... A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate. ... There is salt on the plate as a symbol of the families' tears as they wait. ... The glass is inverted -- they cannot toast with us today. ... The chair is empty and they are not here."

After each phrase, Brandenstein urged his youthful audience to remember the missing. "Remember," he concluded, "until the day they come home ... Remember!"

The effectiveness of the ceremony was certainly enhanced by the school's preparations for it.

"All of our teachers today spent 15 or 20 minutes in our social studies classes discussing various things about our nation's history and about the people who have served in the military," Ridenbaugh said.

The class discussions gave students a chance to express their personal relationship with this most personal of holidays. "I stopped in about five or six classes," Ridenbaugh said. "In one of them, they were discussing who the relatives were that had served in different branches of the armed forces. They were talking about grandparents, for example, who served in World War II."

The color guard consisted of Brandenstein; Bill Garman, carrying the POW/MIA flag; Jack Venable, VFW Post flag; Ralph Bostaph and Debbie Brandenstein, U.S. flags, Shelly Martin, VFW ladies auxiliary flag; and John Meredith and Phil Stanton, escorts.