Oxford High School’s Performing Arts Center was swelling with patriotic pride Monday night as a grateful community gathered to salute those who have donned a uniform in times of war and peace.

“Tonight, we’re here to honor the sacrifice and the service of our men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard,” said Oxford Middle School Choir Director Jan Flynn. “We welcome all of you and we thank you for all of your service.”

A total of 230 sixth-through-eighth-grade choir students filled the stage and flawlessly performed a variety of patriotic songs as part of the 14th Annual Americana Concert.

“In every generation, brave Americans have stepped forward and served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States of America,” Flynn said.

“Our military is strong. They are generous. They have shown great courage and upheld high standards of decency and valor. Our cause is liberty, justice and peace, and millions breathe free today because of the American soldiers who fought and sacrificed for that cause. They are the pride of our nation. They have fought our wars, defended our shores and kept us free.”

The keynote speaker for this year’s event was Joe Cottam, a Lutheran pastor and Vietnam veteran who served in the Marine Corps.

Cottam pointed out that Memorial Day honors “a select group of veterans – those who died serving our nation faithfully and honorably.”

“But on Veterans Day, we honor all veterans,” he said.

To Cottam, all veterans who served honorably are deserving of the nation’s thanks, whether they were combat soldiers who “lost (the) innocence of youth under fire,” office clerks who maintained records, mechanics who kept vehicles battle-ready, truck drivers, corpsmen, medics, doctors or nurses.

“It doesn’t matter what you did or where you served,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether you have a chest full of medals or the basic ones awarded to everyone.

“What matters is that when your nation called, you answered – that no matter what the assignment or challenge, you faced it with courage.”

By putting on the Americana Concert, Cottam said Oxford Schools’ students and staff have “declared emphatically” that veterans “are special and important.”

“They want you to feel good about who and what you are,” he said.

Cottam urged veterans to share their experiences and the valuable lessons they’ve learned with the younger generation in the hopes that it will inspire them.

“Help them grow up believing that this nation is theirs,” he said. “That this nation is the home of men and women who care about the feelings and needs of others.

“Help them grow up to believe that they can make a difference like you and the other veterans of this great nation (did). Because we want them to be proud of our veterans and aspire to emulate them.”