For the first time ever, the annual Canadian Walk for Veterans will be taking place in Kamloops.

The fifth annual walk, set for September 24, invites residents across the region to walk in support of Canada’s military, veterans, and first responders.

“This year’s walk will raise awareness on the plight of translators and to predators and culture advisors and other locally employed people who are essential to Canada’s mission to the world,” said Kamloops Legion President, Daniel Martin.

Kamloops is one of 11 cities holding the walk this year, with Martin, saying the mission statement this year is “Leave No One Behind.”

“It’s very important that people realize that there is a lot of people that work with us and work with us when we are overseas, so that is what it will be for this year.”

The cost to take part is $25 a person, with the walk kicking off at 10 a.m. on September 24 MacArthur Island Park.

“The funds would be directly for bringing back Afghan supporters and translators. Also when you do the registration, you get a beautiful service coin or they call it a challenge coin and that will be given to everybody that registered,” said Martin.

Randie Scott, a 35-year veteran of Correctional Service of Canada, who served in Afghanistan says highly skilled interpreters, cultural advisors and project officers have always been essential to Canadian military and peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and other conflict zones and have served in high risk environments to help keep Canadians safe.

“The public tends to think of veterans as soldiers from WWI, WWII or the Korean War, but we also have a generation of young veterans among us who deserve our thanks and need our support. Unlike Remembrance Day, where we tend to pay tribute to the fallen, the Canadian Walk for Veterans is an opportunity to walk shoulder to shoulder with veterans and thank them while they are still among us.”

People are encouraged to share photos or videos of their walk experience on social media using the hashtag: #canwalk4vets.

More information or a link to register for the event can be found here.