Port Aransas ISD students will celebrate Veterans Day by getting out of school early tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 11, following a more formal celebration in the high school gym.

The celebration will begin earlier – at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. – because some members of the high school band will be leaving for the state crosscountry meet in Round Rock, said Bill Lehman, who’s in charge of the celebration.

Lehman said the 2011 program will be a father and son affair. Charles W. “Wes” Borders Sr. will be the speaker; the master of ceremonies will be Charles W. “Chuck” Borders Jr.

Wes Borders flew more than 530 combat missions in three wars – World War II, Korea and Vietnam – in fighters that included P-39s, P-40s and P-51s. His son, Chuck, flew 180 combat missions over Vietnam in the F-4 Phantom II.

Veterans, Mayor Keith McMullin, visitors, student council members and cheerleaders will meet at 8:30 a.m., in the high school library, for coffee. Congressman Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, and Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal will join them there, but both must leave early for appointments in Corpus Christi. State Rep. Todd Hunter will attend the program, however.

Nueces County Precinct 4 Constable Bobby Sherwood will once again lead honorees to the high school gym, assisted by Police Chief Scott Burroughs and the Brundrett Middle School student council.

The band will be led again by Jim Cole, assisted by his wife, piccoloist Judy Cole.

Student council members will deliver an invocation and lead the pledge of allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by junior Jenna Ward.

Port Aransas ISD Superintendent Dr. Sharon Doughty and McMullin will welcome visitors and Sherwood will introduce dignitaries and welcome veterans as well as recognize veterans who have died in the past year.

Veterans will be asked to stand according to which war they served in, and then according to their branch of service as the band plays a medley of armed forces songs.

The program will conclude with Taps from the band.