SOAP LAKE - Veterans Day at Soap Lake High School Thursday is rooted in an appreciation of U.S. military veterans.

Students in the Soap Lake School District adopted a U.S. military unit in Afghanistan. Each grade donated a care package to a member of the unit, said Soap Lake ASB advisor Mark Cattin.

The ASB shipped the care packages as a way of thanking the troops, said Cattin.

The ASB sent boxes to various classrooms, where students filled them with such things as snacks, letters, and Soap Lake High School T-shirts, said ASB President Veta Babak.

"It was a good experience for all of us," she said. "A lot of the letters from the little kids were funny, but a lot said thank you. Putting them together, we thought about the people there and what they need. It's just a good experience in doing this and it meant a lot to all of us."

The care packages help because many troops don't have family members to send them letters or packages, she said.

"It was good that we can do something like that to honor them," Babak said.

The school anticipates a live video feed from the adopted troops at the assembly, said Cattin.

Cattin wanted the assembly to be upbeat, honoring soldiers that have fallen in the line of duty, but also celebrating current active military members, he said.

The names of fallen soldiers from this area will be read, he said. People can submit a name to be read online at www.slschools.org or at the door, said Cattin.

The assembly will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the high school gym. From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., troops are invited to each lunch with students. The school will pay for their lunches, said Cattin.

The assembly is open to the public and all military veterans are welcome to attend, he said.