PHILLIPSBURG | About 1,000 people filled the Phillipsburg High School gymnasium Sunday to honor local military veterans and those still serving across the nation and around the world.

The main event of the tribute was the presentation of diplomas to veterans who left high school to serve their country during war.

The William Nixon Veterans Day Tribute featured music, poetry and a keynote address by Lt. Col. John Sheard, of the New Jersey National Guard, who aimed his message at the many teenagers in attendance and explored the meanings of sacrifice and leadership.

A huge screen was used to show the names, photos and biographies of the 15 men as each received his diploma. Nine who had died were represented by family members.

A live video feed to Baghdad had been arranged by a Phillipsburg soldier serving in Iraq. It was canceled because he was sent closer to the fighting.

Fred Babcock, of Allentown, was a corporal in 1967 when he served in Vietnam. He graduated from Phillipsburg High School and went straight into the Marines.

It's the third year he and his wife, Sue Babcock, have attended the tribute.

"We come because it's the right thing to do," he said. "To honor our vets and those still in war zones."

When William Nixon was called forward to make welcoming remarks, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Nixon, a former Phillipsburg High School administrator, put the tribute together and works on it year-round. He was presented with a plaque and certificate from the New Jersey National Guard.

His efforts to include high school students in the tribute are rooted in his belief that the history of American veterans' actions in war must be passed along to the next generation.

"This is a solemn tribute to those who served and it also serves as a history lesson for our youth," he told the crowd.

The ceremony included music by the Colonial Musketeer Junior Fife and Drum Corps, the Phillipsburg High School band and choir, the Andover-Morris Elementary School bell choir and a special live performance by Scott Sturla on guitar.

Sturla sang a song he wrote called "Eight Days." It was inspired by the number of days his brother James Sturla was in Iraq before he was wounded so badly he required 27 surgeries.

James Sturla then went back to Iraq to continue serving his country.

Everyone who attended the tribute received a small American flag and all veterans were called to the front of the gym to receive a long-stemmed red rose.

The William Nixon Veterans Day Tribute on Sunday at Phillipsburg High School honored all who served -- and who are serving -- their country. Fifteen who went to war before graduating from Phillipsburg High received their diplomas. Nine received them posthumously.

Kenneth Billger, U.S. Army (deceased)

Louis Cicale, U.S. Army (deceased)

John Deutsch, U.S. Navy (deceased)

Walter Felver, U.S. Army

Walter Hartman Jr., U.S. Army

Joseph Haschak, U.S. Army (deceased)

Gerald Kinnaman, U.S. Army (deceased)

Daniel Lair, U.S. Army

Martin May, U.S. Army (deceased, a Medal of Honor recipient)

Fred Ronecker, U.S. Army

Albert Swisher, U.S. Air Force

William Whittington, U.S. Marines

Keith Willever, U.S. Navy (deceased)

Kenneth Yob, U.S. Navy (deceased)

Frank Zaro, U.S. Navy (deceased).