I remember thinking at the time that it was probably the last time in my life I’d see such a large number of veterans in one place who served in what was the largest and most violent military conflict in history.

While all wars are nasty business, WWII claimed more than 50 million lives related directly to the war and as many more related to disease and famine caused in its wake.

I remember being lost in thought about what their eyes had seen and the stories they could tell.

At the event there was a variety of medals and World War II memorabilia on display as well. It’s something I’ll never forget. And it’s a thought that often catches up with me around Veterans Day.

That was more than 10 years ago and while there are still veterans left from that war, I imagine the number of those still around has dropped substantially since then.

They are some of the last living testaments to one of history’s darkest moments and if you’re fortunate enough to know any of them personally, I’m sure they’d love to hear from you this weekend.

While Memorial Day honors the soldiers we’ve lost, Veterans Day offers us the opportunity to connect with the veterans we can still offer our appreciation to in real time.

In one of my earliest columns I wrote on the topic of Memorial Day and its distinction from Veterans Day, but one thing both days have in common is that regardless of your thoughts on war, politics, military, government or foreign policy these folks deserve some praise.

Some of my favorite people in the world are veterans.

That includes family members still alive and others who’ve passed.

It also includes friends I went to school with and others who served with them while they were enlisted and later became some of my closest friends.

And while Veterans Day aims to honor our servicemen and women, it can also be a time where a lot of hard memories come to the surface, invading their thoughts at stop signs and snapping them back to times that might be difficult to relive.

While some U.S. Veterans are doing great, the unfortunate reality is many are not.

On average about 17 veterans take their own lives every day in the United States.

The suicide rate for veterans in the U.S. is about 1.5 times higher than that of the average citizen.

While I can’t know personally what they are dealing with, I know that any time I’ve reached out to those friends, it’s been appreciated.

So if you know one who served, don’t be afraid to send them a simple thank you. Even better is a quick phone call to catch up.

It's worth your time.

And for some who may be struggling, I think it can mean a lot.

If you or a veteran you know is struggling, St. Lawrence County offers a variety of services that can be found here. https://stlawco.gov/Departments/Veterans

Jimmy Lawton is news editor of North Country This Week and NorthCountryNow.com