The retired serviceman has had several of his former colleagues take their own lives over the years.

He has also had his own issues with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Smith in 2018 attended Ripples of Hope, an annual event organised by the Wagga and Region Suicide Prevention Network.

It is a remembrance service and togetherness walk around Lake Albert, which was last year attended by 80 people.

The first two people Mr Smith met were network members Nola Baker and David Schulz, and that meeting has made a big impact on his life.

Mr Smith joined the network and met others like Mrs Baker and Mr Schulz, who have lost a loved one.

He has now joined the network and met others who understand how he feels.

"Now, I want to start helping other people," he said.

It is a goal Mr Schulz understands.

He lost son Scott almost 13 years ago.

"We were on holidays at the time. We got a phone call from the police and our daughter, who were at our house," he said.

For Mr Schulz, the chance to spend time with people who understand his feelings is blended with the opportunity to try to help other people.

"You can just talk about things," he said.

He believes activities like Ripples of Hope raise awareness of what help is available in the Wagga area.

Mr Schulz is also keen to raise awareness of another project of the network; the distribution of crisis and community information cards.

These credit card-sized pamphlets offer dozens of options for finding support in the Wagga region. He would like to see them in coffee lounges, hairdressing salons and other "places people talk".

"If we can help save just one life, it's worth it," he said.

Mrs Baker, whose son Jarrod died almost 20 years ago, said many members had found the network helpful.

"You can come along and remember, and share stories with people who understand," she said.

"There is a lot of information to help people in the bereavement journey."

Some of this information will be available at the Ripples of Hope event.

"Everyone is welcome to come along," Mrs Baker said.

Ripples of Hope begins with a remembrance service at 5.30pm, followed by a walk around the lake at 5.50pm, on Wednesday, March 20. For more information, email the network at wwrspn@gmail.com.

For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Access Line on 1800 800 944.