Active and retired armed forces members from Calgary gathered alongside their families and friends at South Glenmore Park on Saturday morning to attend the fifth annual Canadian Veterans March.

The five-kilometer march aims to raise awareness of the plight of Canadian veterans, first responders, and foreign nationals who supported the Canadian forces in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Rwanda, and other peacekeeping missions.

Murray Marshall said, "The whole goal is to support these veterans, and when someone says something can't be done, these men and women do not accept refusal and they care for each other."

The proud father walked on Saturday in honor of his son, Saber Stephen Marshall from Calgary, who died at the age of 24 on October 30, 2009, during a foot patrol in the Panjwai area of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Marshall added, "One of the biggest problems these veterans face is that when they come home, they are expected to shut it off." "So when these veterans returned home and found there was little support for them, they created their own support and nothing is stopping them from doing so."

More than 80 people participated in the Calgary event, which is one of 11 marches across Canada with hundreds more supporting the veterans’ initiative by donating online.

Net proceeds also go to the True Patriot Love Afghan Resettlement campaign to help Afghan refugees and their families adjust to life in Canada by supporting legal costs, housing, language, mental health, education, and employment training.