Baldwin High School students are honoring veterans at Friday’s football game as a way to make up for last year’s Veterans Day fiasco at BHS.

“Last year we had a Veterans Day program on Veterans Day that didn’t turn out to be a good experience,” said Colin Thomas, a sophomore. “I felt terrible that they were disrespectful like that. I really wanted to do something for the veterans.

“They’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” he said. “I feel that my generation really takes them for granted.”

Last year, an Army recruiter who had been brought in for the BHS program hit the wrong icon on his computer and instead of the pro-Veterans Day slide show he’d planned, the students saw language and graphic scenes intended for viewing by Army personnel.

The presentation caused an uproar and prompted apologies from the Army and school district officials. The school district also vowed to review presentations ahead of time.

Thomas is planing a “BHS for Vets Celebration” at halftime of the BHS game against Santa Fe Trail. Serving with him on the planning committee are junior Lauren Barnes and sophomores Carson Barnes and Michaela Krysztof.

Veterans are encouraged to attend and will get free admission to the 7 p.m. game. They’ll be honored at halftime. Thomas said there will be a military helicopter flyover just before kickoff, and U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts will be presenting the veterans with a flag that had flown over the Capitol.

“The committee and I are thrilled about having such exciting additions to the program,” said Thomas. “We’d be honored to have all the veterans in the area attend.”