KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Residents, family members and veterans are invited to the Vietnam Recognition Ceremony at the Keystone Heights High cafeteria on Thursday, March 7, at 8:25 a.m. It will highlight the service of those who served honorably during the Vietnam War.

The program is sponsored by First Coast News’ Channel 12 and Northeast Florida High Schools.

Principal Laurie Burke, First Coast News anchor Jeannie Blaylock and the school’s Junior ROTC cadets will serve as hosts.

Visitors should park in the bus loop adjacent to the cafeteria and enter through the gate at the cafeteria. A photo ID and a pass through a metal detector are required.

While the school's band plays, visitors will be served breakfast by JROTC and the school’s award-winning CTE culinary class. Other entertainment will be from the chorus and JROTC.

A special Vietnam documentary by Channel 12, a recognition of Vietnam veterans, an honor guard, a missing man table and opportunities for interaction between veterans and students will be featured.

The school will likely recognize a former student and football player, Gary Ray Cooper, who graduated in 1967 and was killed in action 18 months later in Vietnam. A monument to Cooper was built at the corners of SW Peach and Highland streets.

Other dignitaries include Cadet 2^nd Lt. Reagan Sames, Cadet Lt. Col. Trista Harrison, Cadet and Honor Guard Capt. Kristofer Neibauer, Cadet Joseph Gale, Cadet Isabelle Harrison and Lt. Col. Richard Hall.

Other dignitaries include Cadet 2^nd Lt. Reagan Sames, Cadet Lt. Col. Trista Harrison, Cadet and Honor Guard Capt. Kristofer Neibauer, Cadet Joseph Gale, Cadet Isabelle Harrison and Lt. Col. Richard Hall.