Kristen Digiacomo, 12, feared asking probing questions of two cousins who served in the military in Iraq for fear of stirring up painful memories.

But after attending a recent Veterans Day assembly hosted by South Allegheny Middle School, she said she now knows what she will say the next time she sees her cousins:

She will thank them for their service.

The assembly Nov. 7 featured patriotic music and talks from guest veterans, three of whom teach in the high school. It also honored four local men who gave their lives in service of their country.

Classmate Cullen McGinnis also walked away from the event a little wiser.

"Veterans Day is not about war, but about honoring the veterans," said Cullen, of Lincoln.

"Thank you to all the veterans, and I appreciate what they did for the country," was the message Paige Fenton, 13, of Glassport, is eager to convey.

Among the speakers was Mark A. Purcell, 62, of Ross. Mr. Purcell served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 with 4,000 shipmates, including Sen. John McCain.

Then-Lt. Cmdr. McCain flew from that aircraft carrier on a bombing mission on Oct. 26, 1967, and was captured, spending the next five and a half years as a prisoner of war.

Mr. Purcell, chief of staff for state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, made the students promise one day to visit the war memorials and Arlington National Cemetery in and around Washington, D.C.

"It will make you understand the big price you pay for freedom," he said.

Besides 250 seventh- and eighth-graders, the audience included 20 veterans, most of whom are relatives of students, teachers or other district employees.

Also in attendance were the families of the four soldiers who were being honored:

• Richard R. Kapsha, who was killed in action in Vietnam on Nov. 6, 1971.

• Dennis J. Minkus, who was killed in action in Vietnam on Jan. 13, 1969.

• William Kittiko, who disappeared on a training mission over the Gulf of Mexico in November 1942.

• David A. Wieger, who was killed in action in Iraq on Nov. 1, 2007.

"He would have been overwhelmed and humbled by the tribute," said Lori Wieger, of North Huntingdon, of her son, David, 28.

The Air Force special agent died when the military vehicle he was riding in ran over an improvised explosive device in Balad, Iraq.

"He made friends with everybody," said his brother, Michael, of Port Vue, whose wife, Brenda, teaches at South Allegheny Elementary School.

The late veteran's father, Michael Wieger Sr., was also present.

Besides instilling respect for veterans and their service, speaker Mark Suckfiel, 29, of Liberty, who served in the Army in Iraq, hoped to dispel youths' misconception that war is fun.

"If they play a lot of war-themed video games, they enjoy killing people as fantasy. But in reality if you're close enough to kill the enemy, he's close enough to kill you or your buddies," said Mr. Suckfiel, a Reservist and history teacher.

Jay Blaney, 42, a Reservist who served in the U.S. Navy, said that even military uniforms deserve respect. Mr. Blaney is a special education and mathematics teacher.

Fellow Navy veteran and colleague Ross Edwards, 42, of Bethel Park, said he knows servicemen well. His family tree of veterans stretches back to the Revolutionary War.

"Most veterans are quiet. They won't want to brag, but they will answer your questions," said Mr. Edwards, a biology teacher.

Principal Jeff Solomon said the assembly was especially relevant in light of the 15 to 20 percent of South Allegheny High School graduates who enter the military.

"It gives students the opportunity to see all the efforts and hard work of our service men and women, some of whom are their neighbors."

Students engaged in veterans activities all last week, writing letters to local Veterans Administration hospitals, writing poetry honoring veterans and studying about the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The highlight -- the assembly -- was designed "to inspire students through stories while providing a history lesson," said seventh-grade teacher Andrea Kirchner.

Taryn Barnes, 12, of Port Vue, was already inspired through stories from her grandfather, Walter Scott Wampler, of White Oak, who trained Marine Corps recruits on Parris Island, S.C.

Now, she said, she is more curious than ever to ask him questions like, "What was it like? Were people nice to you?"