By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre music students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade presented a 75-minute program of patriotic songs Monday in honor of veterans.

The program opened with the playing of Taps by Cecilia Rziha and Emil Godinez-Vinduska.

Under the direction of music teacher Amy Harms, 24 songs were performed, some by the entire group, and some in smaller groups. The high school band also performed.

Fourteen veterans who were in attendance introduced themselves and named the military branch in which they served.

The program concluded with a recording of the first ever performance of “God Bless America,” an Irving Berlin composition sung by Katie Smith in 1938.

Veterans and their families were served refreshments after the service.