Ackler is married to a veteran ,Josh Ackler, who has been involved in area Wreaths Across America programs.

Area veterans, their families, community members and students were invited to attend a Veterans’ Day assembly, which followed a breakfast on Tuesday morning at Leetonia’s K-12 campus building.

Ackler kicked off the assembly by reminding veterans that she sees them and their sacrifices made on behalf of their country and appreciates it. “We owe you a debt that cannot be repaid,” she added before introducing students Wyatt Johnson, Christian Kelly, Ethan Cibula, Gage Householder, Kerry Williams and Ben Godwin –all Leetonia High School students who committed to the U.S. Armed Forces. The six high school students carried flags lent to the district for the assembly representing each branch.

Leetonia High School principal Tim Fairfield welcomed veterans, families and students to the event before the Leetonia High School band played the “National Anthem” and a series of military-themed songs.

Kindergarten teacher Sharon Waterbeck leads her students in the ‘Pledge of Allegiance” during Tuesday morning’s Veterans Day Assembly in the Leetonia elementary and middle school gymnasium. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Marilyn Heddleston provided the introductions for both Leetonia police chief Allen Haueter and Larry Scragg, also a military veteran, who shared information about the village’s participation in Wreaths Across America.

Last year, 349 veterans received wreaths during the holiday in Oakdale Cemetery thanks to contributions from the Washingtonville VFW Post 5532, the Leetonia American Legion Post 131 and their respective auxiliaries.

Heddleston, a Leetonia school board member as well as a Oakdale Cemetery board member, indicted there 731 veterans graves in Oakdale, Franklin Square and Mount Calvary Catholic cemeteries.

Scragg urged that community members lend hands, unloading and laying the wreaths on Dec. 13, when they are scheduled for distribution in Leetonia.

Haueter, who had served in the U.S. Army before returning stateside where he has served as a longtime law enforcement officer, was the guest speaker and spoke about a veteran’s service.

From left, Leetonia elementary school students Alexandria Andric, Holly Rodik, Charlotte Nemeth and Brynn Martin watch attentively as the high school band plays a military medley during Tuesday’s districtwide Veterans’ Day assembly. (Submitted photo)

In the case of Haueter, he explained his family comes from generations of military service, including uncles, aunts and cousins that began serving back during the Civil War.

The event was concluded a slideshow compiled by Ackler– paying tribute to veterans in attendance.

From left, first graders Blake Temple and Jackson Rodik applaud from the audience during Tuesday’s Veterans’ Day assembly at Leetonia school’s campus gymnasium. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

First-grade students Kinsley Bequeath, Brianna Clipse, Blake Temple and Jackson Rodik all hold up their pieces of completed artwork during Tuesday’s Leetonia school district Veterans’ Day assembly, where they presented the completed poppy artwork to veterans in attendance after reading the poem, “In Flanders Fields.” (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Leetonia police chief Allen Haueter served as the guest speaker for Tuesday’s Veterans’ Day assembly on the Leetonia Exempted School District campus. The assembly followed a breakfast and included a performance by the high school band. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Larry Scragg, Kasey Williams and Christian Kelly all participated in Tuesday’s Veterans’ Day assembly at the Leetonia school campus. Scragg shared information about his participation with Wreaths Across America. Williams and Kelly discussed their decisions to pursue military service after graduation. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Guest speaker Allen Haueter and Larry Scragg prepare for Tuesday morning’s Veterans’ Day assembly at the gymnasium on Leetonia school campus. Haueter, a former U.S. Army veteran and the village’s police chief discussed his family’s history of military service, while Scragg shared information about the village’s Wreaths Across America effort. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)