KENNEWICK, Wash.--  Students at Highlands Middle School held a rally and celebration for veterans Thursday.  They also got a special visit from a retired Air Force Colonel.    

The  kids decorated the hallways and gave the veterans a warm welcome, cheering and clapping as they walked into the auditorium where the rally was held.  Some were friends and family of the students and others from local veterans organizations.

Skylar Harry, an 8th grader at Highlands, says this visit means a lot to him.  He explains, "It means to me that I have freedom and they fought for it.  I'd like to thank every veteran that's not here today, and I'd like to thank everyone who is here today for coming."

Retired Col. Bob Iten was in the Air Force for 25 years and served in Vietnam and Korea, as well as lived all over the world.  He told the kids about his experiences in the service and had some advice.  Col. Iten says, "Set goals, but don't be disappointed when they don't work out that way, because my experience has been that things often work our better than you plan."

The veterans also got a nice, hot meal and spent extra time with students.  Veteran's Day is coming up on Wednesday, November 11.