Lifelong Tupper Laker and Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Kim Kopp gave the ceremony speech.

She joined the Air Force in 1999 and retired earlier this year, having been mobilized or deployed in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Sentinel.

Veterans Day stems from Armistice Day, which commemorated the day in 1918 when “the guns of World War I fell silent on the 11th hour.”

She said the day is not just to remember that moment of peace, but to honor every man and woman who has served.

Ray Bigrow lays a wreath for the Tupper Lake Honor Guard at the town’s Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

“It reminds us that while the battles may change, the courage, sacrifice and sense of duty remain the same,” Kopp said.

She said military service changes how they see the world and that their bond as veterans never fades.

“Military service stays with you forever,” Kopp said.

Veterans Day is also about connection to her.

Kopp said it is important to keep veterans’ organizations strong, to provide that community for the next generation of veterans. These organizations continue ceremonies like the Tupper Lake Veterans Day one and make sure no vet is forgotten, she said.

Mike Russell lays a wreath for the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the TLVFD Ladies Auxiliary at the town’s Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

But they can only keep going if people get involved, she added.

Kopp said for years, people have kept quiet about their mental struggles coming home from service. But that’s changing. She said she’s faced her own mental battles.

“I’m not ashamed of it. None of us should be,” Kopp said. “It takes courage to ask for help. It also takes love to look after one another. … Because service doesn’t end when we hang up the uniform for veterans, courage doesn’t only happen on the battlefield.”

The Rev. Rick Wilburn continued this, asking in his prayer that the Lord allow them to continue to serve their communities the best they can.