Veterans and active duty members of the military recalled what Memorial Day means to them at a 5K run in Jupiter.

John Schrey’s life looks nothing like it did eight years ago.

Then, he was homeless on the streets of Boca Raton. As a last resort, he called the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund for help. The North Palm Beach-based nonprofit covered the cost of a hotel room for him to stay in for two weeks through Christmas and New Year’s. That changed the trajectory of Schrey’s life.

Just a couple years earlier, Schrey had left the U.S. Marine Corps, which he served in for nearly a decade as a sergeant. He had post-traumatic stress disorder, damage to his neck and ringing in his ears when he got home.

“I lost all my purpose,” said Schrey, 43, of Boca Raton. “I got into drinking heavily and drugs. Inevitably, I ended up leaving my family because I didn’t want to cause them any more damage. I ended up homeless and (WVRF) really helped me out.”

Schrey was one of nearly 500 people who attended the 11th annual Running for Heroes 5K run May 24 at Riverbend Park in Jupiter ahead of Memorial Day, raising money for the relief fund. He manned a tent to promote the upcoming “Devil Dog” run on Sept. 28 at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in Boca Raton, which also is raising funds for WVRF. Last year, the Running for Heroes 5K raised $28,000, according to a spokesperson, who noted that this year’s total is not counted yet.

The 5K run was a joyous morning with music, laughter, doughnuts and people waving American flags. Some runners pushed babies in strollers and wagons or ran alongside their dogs.

Nicholas Rodriguez, a 26-year-old staff sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, was among the winners of the 5K race, which took him around 20 minutes to complete. It was his third consecutive year winning. He joined the military at 19 years old after attending college for one year. He wasn’t sure about his career path and is full of patriotism, so enlisting was an easy decision to make.

“On Memorial Day, it is easy to remember people who have passed … but remember that people are still alive,” said Rodriguez, of West Palm Beach. “A lot of people like to go out and have fun (on Memorial Day), but I remind people it’s about someone else.”

Everyone fell perfectly silent minutes before the race as a way to honor and remember soldiers who died. During the moment of silence, Wade Waddick, a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, thought about the sacrifices that people in the military make to afford Americans freedom.

“No matter what you’re going through in life, you’ll still able to handle whatever issues you have because you’re alive,” said Waddick, 49, of Boca Raton. “Memorial Day is not a ‘Thank you for your service’ day. It’s a day to honor and pay respect to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Waddick left the military with depression, back pain and “destroyed” ankles that make it difficult for him to run. Still, every Memorial Day, he runs a mile, does 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and then runs another mile at the gym he owns in suburban Boca Raton.

Alain Ervil is also in the U.S. Marine Corps. He left his job in finance three years ago to enlist. He thinks Memorial Day should last for an entire month rather than one day.

“Memorial Day means to shine a light on the pains and struggles that our veterans went through,” said Ervil, 31, who lives in Martin County. “A lot of these older gentlemen have a story to tell. It’s a day where we can shine light on their lives.”

Schrey, the ex-Marine manning the Devil Dog booth, got sober after his hotel stay. Now, he spends his days giving back: He works at a treatment facility in Palm Springs helping others who struggle with PTSD and substance abuse.

“That’s what it’s about: One person helping another who has been there,” Schrey said. “That’s what I try to do with my guys where I work now.”

Memorial Day used to be a dark day for Schrey. He would spend the day drinking and getting angry when he heard people say “Happy Memorial Day” because he would think of people in the military who died. His two best friends, Brandon Lay and Zachary Picking, died by suicide after they returned home from their military service.

“My perception of Memorial Day has changed,” Schrey said. “My boys died for people to have fun, have barbecues and be happy. It’s not supposed to be sad. … Now, I’m living for them.”