Approximately 75 people came out to Fort George park on Saturday to show their support for Canada's veterans and first responders.
The fifth annual Red Shirt Marathon, also known as A Walk of Honour, raised funds for Winch House -a organization that provides low-cost accommodation for Canadian military personnel, first responders, veterans and their families while receiving medical care and counselling in Vancouver.
"Facilities such as Winch House are really important to allow the recovery of the [military] member by providing low-cost accommodation," Lt.-Col. Kevin Tyler of the Rocky Mountain Rangers said. "These facilities are really important to ensure that members are able to get the support they need."
Participants began the five-kilometre walk by passing by 159 Canadian flags -each one dedicated to a Canadian soldier who was killed during the recent Afghan War.
Two of the flags represented the sons of Prince George families: Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick, 21, who died on March 20, 2010 and Cpl. Matthew McCully, 25, who was killed on May 25, 2007.
In addition, a flag was dedicated to Greg Matters, a former Canadian soldier who was shot by police on Sept. 10, 2012 at his family's Pineview property.
Matters was being treated for post traumatic stress disorder at the time of his death, after serving as a peacekeeper in Bosnia during his 15 years in the Canadian military.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 43 branch president Bruce Gabriel said seeing the flags gave him a chill.
"It's very hard when you walk by those flags. You can feel the spirit of those guys who gave their lives..." Gabriel said. "It's wonderful to honour them... and the military families who give so much."
Event organizer Steve Goes said more than $3,000 was raised to support Winch House.
"This is my very last Walk of Honour in Prince George. I'm going to bring this event to Vancouver," he said. "It's [been] unbelievable to see the support."
The Royal Canadian Legion is considering organizing similar events in Vancouver and communities across B.C and Canada, he said.
"This is the first of many more to come, and hopefully right across Canada," Goes said. "It's very touching to see [people] come out... to support our troops, to support our veterans and support our first responders."
