In keeping with tradition, the celebrations culminated at the American Legion Post 326, where Doug Hoffman, the post’s commander, addressed the crowd. He said that even though only about 6% of American adults today have served in the military, veterans tend to play an outsized role in helping their communities, long after their active service ends.

“Chances are that if you surveyed your local police or fire departments, you would find that a disproportionately high percentage of their members are veterans,” he said. “When an emergency hits, there is a good chance that it is a veteran who is the first to respond. Thank them twice for their services.”

Hoffman then referenced the calamitous flash floods that struck central Texas this summer, killing 138 people. As tragic as the death toll is, Hoffman said it could have been much worse, had it not been for the heroic actions of Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan and his crew, who are credited with saving 169 people, many in imminent danger at the time as flood waters surged.

“He responded with the modesty that is so common among U.S. veterans,” Hoffman said, quoting Ruskan. “‘I’m just doing a job. That’s what I signed up for, and I think that any single Coast Guard soldier would have done the same,’ he told the media.”

Seventh grader Annalyse Gerken plays taps next to the Adirondack Community Church on Tuesday morning as the flag for her grandfather, Daniel Lundin, was raised as part of Lake Placid’s Veterans Day celebrations. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Hoffman credited veterans with having above-average volunteering and voting rates when compared to the overall U.S. population — he said it’s in their character: they take their mission seriously, regardless of the task at hand. Hoffman added that it’s the same character that allowed them to withstand long separation from their families — sometimes missing the births of their children, holidays and the special occasions that come from being around family and friends on a day-to-day basis — experiences that are often taken for granted.

By that same token, Hoffman said military families serve and sacrifice as well.

“Military spouses and children often had to deal with changes in schools, addresses, separation from friends and, hardest of all, the uncertainty of whether or not their spouse or Mom or Dad would live through our combat tour,” he said.

Despite a resolve that makes many veterans key pillars of communities, Hoffman said the transition back to civilian life is immensely difficult, and many veterans are struggling. He shared a grim statistic: more than 17 veterans per day on average commit suicide, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hoffman encouraged the audience to reach out to veterans whom they think may be struggling, ask how they are doing, and most importantly, listen.

American Legion Post 326 members Robert Marvin, left, and Stuart Spotts retire a flag that had flown in honor of Thomas G. Woodman. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“Remember the three numbers: 9-8-8,” he said. “This is the national crisis line for anybody who is having suicidal thoughts. A situation that seems hopeless today will certainly look better tomorrow when you realize that you have the support of people who truly care. There is no better way to thank a veteran than to let him or her know that we got their back. After all, veterans have had America’s back for 250 years, humbly and proudly keeping our nation free, no matter the danger.”

Flags at four different locations were lowered and given to the family members of veterans, and new flags were raised in honor of a new set of veterans. The first lowering and raising was at the Adirondack Community Church and the World War I Memorial, where a flag honoring Tom Woodman was lowered, and one honoring Daniel Lundin was raised. Lundin’s granddaughter, Annalyse Gerken, played taps.

Following that, there was a ceremony at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid, where a flag honoring Larry Burdo was lowered and one honoring Bruce Colon was raised. Afterwards, there was a ceremony at Adirondack Health Lake Placid, where a flag honoring Robert Knox was lowered and one honoring Frederick Reed was raised.

The traditional parade down Main Street then followed, marching from the intersection with Saranac Avenue to the American Legion Post 326. After Hoffman’s remarks, three flags honoring Donald Dew, Thomas McConnel and Arthur Jubin were lowered and three flags honoring Jimmy Hadjis, Favor Smith II and Rik Cassidy were raised. The six flags raised on Tuesday will fly until Memorial Day.