The parking lot at Cheel Arena at Clarkson University was full Saturday, but people weren't showing up for hockey.

It was Military Appreciation Day - a chance to educate veterans in St. Lawrence County.

"To give all veterans in this county access to updated information regarding their benefits and their entitlements," explained organizer Col. William Murphy (Ret.).

"Not just to get the benefits they've earned, benefits they deserve, but also to inform them of them," added Mike Bopruy of the St. Lawrence County Veterans Department.

The event also included a career fair  to help veterans find jobs now and preparing active duty military for life after service.

"All of us in uniform will eventually transition to civilian side. And for those of us staying in, we all have soldiers that are going to be transitioning, so we want to be sure we take care of these guys," said Captain Jayson Williams, a soldier with the 10th Mountain Division's Third Brigade Combat Team.

"So, it's educational both on a personal level and as a leadership event," he said.

Another reason why parking lots were packed for Military Appreciation Day: this was the first day veterans could sign up for a discount card that's good for certain businesses throughout the county.

"Right now we're over 65 businesses that are participating, obviously it was a success because the line out there is still there, and it's still long," Bopruy said.

The discount card is good at various hotels, restaurants, and other businesses throughout St. Lawrence County. But the goal is to have the card work throughout the state.

"So, if I have my St. Lawrence discount card I can use it in Jefferson, I can use it in Franklin, I can go down to Onondaga County. A veteran's a veteran," Bopruy explained.

As for the event, organizers say the its success is measured by how many veterans and active-duty military members it helps.

"If each veteran that comes to this event, if they get the one thing from this event, it will have been a success for that veteran." Murphy said.

Officials say they are excited by the turnout and they plan to pack the parking lots at the Cheel Arena for another Military Appreciation Day next year.