Students and staff at Southside School extended a warm welcome to America’s heroes during the Niles school’s annual Veterans Day lunch Tuesday.

Fifty veterans and approximately 20 other guests packed the school’s gymnasium for a homemade buffet-style meal in a patriotic atmosphere.

The walls and tables were decorated in red white and blue colored posters and tablecloths, making the veterans feel right at home.

In addition to a flag folding ceremony by the local Rolling Thunder Chapter, the event included readings of patriotic poems by students, the playing of Taps and an introduction of each veteran in attendance.

It was the eighth year that the school has offered the lunch to local veterans.