LEBANON — Originally, the idea was for the students at Sand Ridge Charter School to learn about military service and the sacrifices veterans made.

But the veterans who visited the elementary campus Thursday said they learned a few things, too.

“I’ve never come and been a show-and-tell object before,” said Army veteran Steve Anderson of Scio, who served from 1968 to 1971.

“I learned that this younger generation is the greatest generation!” said Joe Howard of Lebanon, who served in the Marines from 1946 to 1966. “America is still going strong! I learned that, too.”

Sand Ridge’s South Main campus welcomed 22 mid-valley veterans Thursday for “Take a Vet to School Day,” a national campaign sponsored by The History Channel to mark Veterans Day.

Traci Ford, who teaches second grade, said she thought the event would fit perfectly with her lessons on the National Anthem and the War of 1812.

“I wish we could do this every week. The kids are learning so much,” she said. “It’s fun for them. It’s more like playing than school.”

In Ford’s class, second-graders moved between stations. James Lewis Sr. of Lebanon, who was in the Army Special Forces from 1983 to 1988, displayed the patches he’d earned. Dave Roe, who toured the Pacific while in the Navy in the late 1960s, used a globe to show Japan, Vietnam, the Phillippines and the other countries he visited.

Next door in Amanda Treichler’s class, second-graders listened wide-eyed as Wayne Workman, another Navy veteran, described his ship: “One block long and 10 stories high, and we had 1,000 men on it. It was like a floating city.”

“Whoa,” students chorused.

Howard and fellow Marine Charles Ford talked about boot camp and other challenges they’d faced.

“You know women are in the service now that do the same things I do?” Ford told Rhianna Epperson, 7.

“Go tell him, ‘Semper Fi,’” Howard urged Rhianna’s classmate, Caden Israel, nodding at Ford’s table.

“Semper Fi!” the 7-year-old called.

Ford beamed. “Always faithful,” he called back.

THE ROUTE

The parade starts at the overpass on Pacific Highway, then turns right on Lyon Street, left on Second Avenue to Ferry Street, then left to Fourth Avenue, ending at the Linn County Courthouse.