NASHUA — While families prepare for the unofficial start of summer this weekend, Nashua students took a few moments on Friday to celebrate the holiday in all of its patriotic glory.

Surrounded by small American flags and the singing of the National Anthem, members of the Nashua High School South Homefront Heroes Club unveiled a monument in honor of the nation's veterans and current service members.

“As a senior, my last activity as a Homefront Hero couldn't have been any more satisfying,” said Erin Jackson, co-president of the small club.

Jackson, along with seven other club members, worked diligently to raise about $3,000 to design and create a 5-foot-long boulder monument with the inscribed words “Nashua High School South Supports Our Troops.”

The permanent monument sits next to the flagpole at the front entrance of the school. It has five round logos representing the five military branches — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.

The unveiling ceremony was a culmination of hard work and commitment by several club members dedicated to seeing the project come to fruition, according to Rekha Luther, a social studies teacher and club adviser.

“The seniors really wanted to leave something lasting before they graduate. This permanent, commemorative stone is a way for them to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so much for their everyday freedom,” said Luther.

The students designed the unique monument, and Hudson Monument helped make their art come to life, she said.

“But no monument could be large enough or great enough to thank the troops,” stressed Elizabeth Jackson, the other co-president of the Homefront Heroes Club.

Throughout the year, club members have sent many care packages to troops stationed overseas, wrote letters to veterans, helped babysit military children, collected spare change and organized several bake sales.

Their mission, since the club was founded in 2010 during the largest New Hampshire National Guard deployment since World War II, is to support service members and their families.

“We are a huge military family here,” said Principal Jennifer Seusing, adding that she is proud of the students for spearheading the project.

Luther agreed, saying Memorial Day weekend is the ideal time to remember and recognize the troops who have already served our country, and the military personnel who are currently deployed.

Her boyfriend, Sgt. William Martin of Manchester, a member of the New Hampshire Army National Guard, knows firsthand that troops appreciate support from home.

While he served a one-year deployment from 2010 to 2011, Martin said the care packages and letters sent from the Homefront Heroes group made a tremendous difference to those overseas.

“It was unbelievable. It really brings your spirits up,” he said. “This club has bloomed since then, and it has been absolutely amazing to watch them get to this point today.”

Club members thanked the community for supporting their project and making financial contributions. They also encouraged New Hampshire residents to do all they can this weekend to honor military personnel, including attending local parades, placing yellow ribbons on their homes, planting flowers at a veteran's grave or flying Old Glory.