BOSCAWEN - Standing in front of several hundred veterans under a bright blue sky Tuesday, retired Air Force Col. Joseph Dichiaro threw down a challenge for today's youth.

Dichiaro, the guest speaker at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Veterans Day ceremony, urged young people to give of themselves to others, just as America's veterans have done.

"We're in a generation of iPhones and iPads and selfies," said Dichiaro, giving the Veterans Day address at the cemetery.

Addressing what cemetery officials said was one of the largest Veterans Day crowds in recent memory, Dichiaro looked squarely at the older veterans in the crowd, many of whom were in wheelchairs.

"This is the Greatest Generation," he said. "We need to see that spirit of that generation to grow up again in this country from our young people."

America's youth should study American history carefully, he said, particularly how Americans came to respond to World War II "after that disgrace" of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he said.

Americans had just lived through the sadness and troubles of the Great Depression, and then found themselves being forced into war.

The country responded well, he said. "In five years, this nation mobilized," he said.

And while fighting for America overseas, American soldiers distinguished themselves well, and formed bonds that can never be broken.

"No one can ever take away the bond that comes from serving together, that you can never dissolve," Dichiaro said.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte thanked veterans, whom she called "exceptional citizens who answered the call to duty."

"Those of us who are here today can never thank you enough," she said.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen thanked veterans for "their willingness to give the ultimate sacrifice." "We can only thank them from the bottom of our hearts," she said.

Another speaker asked the families of veterans to watch for signs of depression or odd behavior among veterans, as suicide among veterans is a growing problem.