LONDONDERRY — Whether collecting clothing items for children in Afghanistan, making care packages to send to deployed troops or waving flags to honor the soldiers on the front lines, the students and staff at South Elementary School are nothing if not patriotic.

Even when rain showers made it necessary to move Friday morning's school-wide Memorial Day ceremony inside, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the students, many arriving dressed in their finest reds, whites and blues.

Over the past several weeks, donations of children's clothing and blankets piled up in the front foyer — items dearly needed by the children of Afghanistan.

The school learned of the children's needs through students Nicole LaRock and Kiera Batherwich, whose father, Master Sgt. Larry Batherwich and his command unit from Bagram Air Field noticed the nearby kids were poorly equipped for the cold winters, Principal Linda Boyd said.

“The items we've collected will be presented as gifts by U.S. troops to the Afghani families who support them in their fight against terrorism,” Boyd said.

As members of the school band marched into the gym playing “When The Saints Go Marching In,” a sea of American flags waved above the crowd as the entire school gathered in remembrance.

Among the special guests attending Friday's ceremony were U.S. Army veteran Steve Costa and U.S. Airforce Senior Airman Robert Bergendahl.

Bergendahl, whose younger sister Janiah is a fourth grader at South School, regularly travels to the Middle East to bring troops to their destination and back home again.

He told the children he decided to enlist in the military because he wanted to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. “The best part of my job is, we get to bring the soldiers home again,” said Bergendahl, noting the importance of honoring those who don't make it home.

His words of wisdom for the students? “Remember, next time you see someone in uniform, it's great to write letters or send cookies, but the most important thing you can say to them is, 'thank you,'” Bergendahl emphasized.

Costa, who earned both the Purple Heart and the Silver Star over the course of his military career, reminded the children of the more somber reason for this Monday's holiday.

“Whether active, retired or reserve, a soldier is someone who at some point in their lives stepped forward to serve their country knowing full well they might end up paying the ultimate price,” said Costa. “Today, we have thousands serving on foreign shores or here at home. Many of them will give their lives to keep America the way it is.”

Later, South School teachers read letters from some former students who are now all grown up and serving in the military.

Teacher Judith Duval read a letter from Second Lt. John McMahon, who is currently in New Mexico studying to become a remotely piloted aircraft pilot.

“Everyone knows some military story or hero who fought for our country and contributed to our freedom and prosperity,” McMahon wrote. “(Memorial Day) is a day to reflect on loved ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice or to sit back and think about the old stories that your grandparents or neighbors told you about past wars.”