Veterans were honored across North Central Florida Tuesday in a series of events.

But while the attention was devoted to the men and women who served the country on Veterans Day, time is running out to honor one service group - veterans from World War II. Some said that memories of being at war were still vivid, even though they fought decades ago.

86-year-old Rufus Canterberry of Ocala fought in three wars and said he knows first hand what it's like to not know if you'll live to see the next day, and that many soldiers died simply doing their job.

"...Lost a lot of buddies, seen them blown apart and scattered on the battlefield. It just brings to mind all the suffering this country has done to be living in peace," Canterberry said.

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, people who served in the Vietnam era make up the largest population of veterans, totaling 8 million.