A special flag was raised over the school at the front entrance.

The flag originally was draped over the coffin of Craig Benton's father, Ed. Craig teaches third grade at the school.

Ed Benton died in 1998. He and his wife Peg arrived in Sisters in 1990. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps (now the U.S. Air Force) serving two years in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He went into service at age 19.

The flag flew above the school the day before Veterans Day, since all schools and government offices were closed for the Tuesday national holiday.

Sisters Elementary School Principal Tim Comfort led the Pledge of Allegiance after the flag was raised. He asked for a moment of silence in memory of all veterans at the end of the 15-minute ceremony.

The Singing Sisters School Teachers sang a four-part harmony version of "America a-cappella and asked all the youngsters, other teachers and guests to join with them in a second rendition.

The quartet is made up of Diane Jacobsen, fourth grade teacher; Carla Zylius, first grade; Lori Small, third grade, and Karen Ritchie, kindergarten.

Small's third grade class sang three songs for the 250 people who attended the special ceremony.

Among the veterans present were Leonard Knott, dressed in his Coast Guard uniform. He was a member of that service for 27 years aiding with Search and Rescue operations in San Francisco and at North Bend here in Oregon.

Also in uniform was Greg Cole, Commander in the United States Navy, whose wife, Pam, teaches first grade at the school.

James Corfield, a lance corporal with the Marine Corps and a Korean War veteran, was present as was David Culver, a Spec. 4 officer serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Infantry.

The common room at the school was filled with stars made and hand-decorated by the elementary school students and a large banner commemorating the holiday hung among the stars.

A similar Veterans Day ceremony was held at Sisters Middle School at noon on Monday.

A special two-hour ceremony was scheduled for the public at Sisters High School on Tuesday evening with patriotic music and the Junior ROTC Drill Team from Prineville.

Veterans from the five military services of the United States were asked to be present and be recognized.