MATTAPOISETT — Admiral Edward Cashman of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island says he always thanks students for the work they will do when back on their assignments in the Navy.

“For 250 years people have chosen to serve the nation,” he told a Veterans Day audience in Mattapoisett. “They have established an honorable and glorious tradition. I remind those students they are now part of that tradition and have the responsibility of preserving and earning that heritage.”

Keynote speaker Cashman was joined on Monday, Nov. 11 by veterans and loved ones at Old Hammondtown School for the town's annual Veterans day ceremony.

“To this day I am still very impressed by the number of people that come and take time out of their schedule to honor this day,” said Select Board member Tyler Macallister, who said it was the 11th time he has been to the town’s Veterans Day ceremony — held at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

“I hope as individuals we use the other 364 days to recognize veterans as we have the opportunity to do so because their efforts to secure our freedoms should never go unnoticed,” he said.

The Mattapoisett Showstoppers, a children’s singing group, performed renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America.

Cashman currently works as the dean of the college of maritime operational warfare at the Naval War College and resides in Westport

He said he always thanks students for the work they will do upon their departure from the college.

Old Rochester student Zoe Motta read aloud a Veterans Day Proclamation from Governor Maura Healey.

Rochester Boy Scout Troop 31 Honor Guard presented the nation’s colors for the ceremony.