MATTAWA - One again, the Washington National Guard at Pasco will be the prime participant in the annual Wahluke High School Veterans Day Assembly.

The program, organized by Navy veteran and 21st Century Program site director Jay Scott, will be held on Nov. 9 in the high school gym. Attending WNG guard members will start to set up at 7:30.

"There will be soldiers come from all over Washington State, as they did last year, to assist with the ceremony and talk to students and community members," Scott said.

This will be the fifth Veterans assembly at Wahluke. The motivation is two-fold. It gives students a chance to meet and honor the men and women who protect their freedom. It gives the WNG exposure to Mattawa area teens.

"I believe this will be a great event for our students, staff and community," Scott said.

The WNG will set up Humvee combat vehicles on the quad at the high school. Classes from around the district will be able to talk with the soldiers and observe the vehicles. The assembly will get under way at 10:20.

"We're trying to get an Abrams tank in here, but we don't have one so far," Scott said.

After the ceremony, the soldiers will lunch with the students. Scott said the students enjoyed that last year.

One change for this year, Scott said, is that the soldiers will be younger. Scott and the WNG hope students will better relate to them.

Among other things, the WNG soldiers will perform color guard duties and lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance.