Mary Baldwin College in Staunton held an early Veterans Day ceremony Friday.

It was put together by cadets from the Virginia Women in Leadership program, or VWIL.

"We're honoring the veterans and men and women in uniform. We had so many uniform personnel here with us to observe this ceremony, and it's really for them," says Jacqueline Hadley, a VWIL company executive officer

Some special guests arrived in a Black Hawk helicopter. Among the guests was retired two-star Air Force Maj. Gen. Terry Scherling.

"Veterans Day is important to all of us in order to recognize and celebrate the service of those who have served so selflessly, and given their lives for America and for the freedoms that we hold so dear to us," says Scherling.

"I really feel being part of the corp of cadets really is about the praise and the honor ceremonies, that are essential to showcase the training that we put fourth," says VWIL 1st Capt. Jessica Tait.

Scherling says the future of the armed forces depends on the leadership skills of corps like VWIL.

"My hope is that the armed forces in the United States continue to support democracy worldwide, and that we will continue to help the United States stay a safe place," says Scherling.