To acknowledge the sacrifices of both veterans of the Canadian military and their family members, the 6th Annual Canadian Walk for Veterans is taking place in 12 communities across the country this weekend.

Co-founder of the Canadian Walk for Veterans, Marc Burchell, says the walk, taking place from Courtney, British Columbia to Halifax in the east, pays tribute to young veterans that are often forgotten, as many people don’t associate the word veteran with the new generation of soldiers who have fought since World War Two. These veterans are often 20 to 40 years old, and contributed to wars in Afghanistan, Somalia, Rwanda, and Bosnia.

He adds that this year’s theme is “The Heroes of the Homefront”, giving acknowledgement to not only those who left to fight, but the family members that watched them go. He says many family members have to be alone for long durations of time, playing the part of both mother and father, and transitioning their family member out of military life when the time comes. They also have to take care of their loved one if they were injured in battle, and deal with constant awareness of potential threats posed against their family member.

To assist military families with these very obstacles, all proceeds from the walk will be allocated to military family resource centres across Canada, including the Central Saskatchewan Military Family Resource Centre in Dundurn.

Angelina Marcotte, Program Coordinator at the CSMFRC, says the event is taking place in Saskatoon for the very first time this year. On Sunday at 9:00am, participants can register for either a 3 or 5 kilometre walk, beginning at Rotary Park and continuing up Meewasin Trail, across University Bridge, and returning on Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge.

All registrants will receive the 2023 Challenge Coin engraved with this year’s theme and a historical image.