Wilson Middle School honors veterans

In a tribute to the sacrifices of an earlier generation, Wilson Middle School students welcomed three U.S. military veterans to campus Thursday as part of their annual Veterans Day Assembly.

The guests included World War II veterans Joseph Pietroforte and Joe Govea, and Korean War veteran Maury Starr.

A fourth, World War II veteran Peter Howenstein, was honored in absentia.

Veterans Day is officially celebrated on Nov. 11.

The Wilson Middle School Veterans Day Assembly has become one of its most anticipated events of the year, creating a link between the history that students study in class and the personal experiences of the veterans, organizers said.

Last year’s assembly included Olympic distance runner and World War II hero Louis Zamperini, whose life story has since been chronicled in the best seller “Unbroken,” penned by noted author Laura Hillenbrand.

-- Megan O’Neil, Times Community News

Twitter: @megankoneil

Photo: World War II Battle of the Bulge veterans Rifleman Joe Govea, front left, and Sgt. Joseph Pietroforte, front center, were two of four veterans honored at the annual Veteran’s Day Assembly at Wilson Middle School in Glendale on Thursday, November 3, 2011. Credit: Raul Roa/Staff Photographer.