Florida Sen. Marco Rubio made a point to show his support for the military at a campaign stop Tuesday morning as the Republican presidential candidate addressed an audience laden with veterans at the University of South Carolina Beaufort's Performing Arts Center.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott introduced Rubio at the town hall-style event, where he publicly endorsed the senator ahead of Saturday's primary. Scott said he looked to Rubio's experience on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Committee on Foreign Relations in making his decision.

"With a brother who is a colonel in the Air Force, an Air Force Academy graduate serving our country, I thought to myself, 'Who would be the best commander In chief on day one?'" Scott said.

When Rubio asked how many veterans were in the audience, dozens stood up and received boisterous applause.

"Of all the events I've been at, that's the most," he said. "I should have said, 'Who's not a veteran?'"

Rubio shared a newspaper article about crisis calls to a VA suicide hotline that were allowed to go to voicemail, which he said "made my skin crawl and my blood boil."

"Someone would be fired over this and more importantly when I'm president, your VA benefits, you will be able to take them to any hospital or any doctor that you want to go to," Rubio said.

Like at previous events, Rubio said he believes President Barack Obama is the "worst president in 35 years," criticizing the administration for what he referred to as the "gutting" of the military.

Rubio kept mention of other presidential candidates to a minimum at the short campaign stop but said he and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump have "behavioral differences." He said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has been weak on national security, having voted for a budget cut on defense.

Rubio once again promised to strengthen the military and increase defense spending.

When discussing Social Security and raising the retirement age, Rubio referenced criticism he has received for his repeated use of certain lines in speeches and debates.

"I'm 44, I feel 46. I messed up the joke. I'll be 45 in May, but I feel 46. That's what happens when you repeat something so many times," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.