World War II veteran Ray Klingbeir leaned across the lunch table Tuesday at Glenville-Emmons Elementary School to emphasize a simple point with his 6-year-old great-grandson.

Though great-grandson Griffin Studier doesn’t know many of the details from his great-grandfather’s time as a veteran for the United States Coast Guard, the youngster does know about his great-grandfather’s patriotism as an American.

“You’re lucky you live in America,” the veteran told his great-grandson.

Klingbeir, who served in 1944 and 1945, said he’s proud to be an American. After going out into the world, this is especially so.

He is one of more than 35 veterans who signed up to come to school with Glenville-Emmons elementary students this week for a program called “Invite a Veteran to Lunch.”

While most of the schoolchildren know just the basics about veterans and their experiences, Principal Sue Gillard said the program is giving the students another opportunity to learn about those who have served the country, especially in light of Veterans Day.

Gillard said the Parent Teacher Connection initiated the program.

“We thought it would be another way to show the kids how to honor the veterans,” she said.

There were 18 veterans who came with students on Monday and five on Tuesday. Another large group was expected today.

The Parent Teacher Connection is paying for the veterans’ lunches, and then the vets sit with their student, intermingled with other students.

“It’s nice to be able to honor them,” Gillard said.

Klingbeir and the other veterans present on Tuesday said they appreciated the honor.

Veteran Don Fredrickson ate lunch with his 6-year-old grandson Nickey Goskeson. Fredrickson said he served in the Army in West Germany from 1971 to 1973.

“I feel pretty special,” he said when asked about being invited to lunch.

Goskeson was excited to have his grandfather with him and pointed his visitor out to all of his friends.

Fredrickson said he hasn’t talked to his grandson a whole lot about his experiences in the military either.

“I’ll break the news to him when he’s older,” he said.

For now, he pays it forward by driving other veterans to the Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Veterans attending the Invite a Veteran to Lunch program ranged in age. While most were older, there were some students who brought their fathers.

One of those was 7-year-old Olivia Stilley, who had invited her father, Bruce Stilley, to eat lunch with her.

The father said he served in the United States Navy from 1986 to 1990.