When you see groups of people striding side by side, rain or shine, through city parks or across country roads, it might look like just another fitness challenge. But events like the March On walk, the 50 Mile March, and ruck marches across the world are something much deeper: these are lifelines and rallying points for defence veterans grappling with some of the toughest odds in civilian life. Behind every step is a story of struggle, solidarity, and hope. How do these marches actually make a difference for veterans facing daunting challenges like suicide risk, homelessness, and disconnection? The short answer: They provide vital funding, foster community, raise awareness, and directly connect veterans to transformative support—all while sending a powerful message that society has not forgotten their service.
Understanding the Challenges Facing Defence Veterans
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be fraught with difficulties. According to goulburnpost.com.au, one in three defence veterans takes their life every fortnight in Australia, with suicide now the leading cause of death for male veterans under 30. Ex-serving men and women are over 100 percent more likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts. Similar difficulties are echoed in the U.S., where 17 veteran lives are lost to suicide daily, and veteran suicides have increased by nearly 12 percent since 2020, as detailed by 50milemarch.org. Beyond mental health, many veterans face barriers to employment, housing instability, and feelings of isolation. The Department of Veterans Affairs (news.va.gov) notes that these issues aren’t just numbers—they are “complex challenges accessing benefits and services,” compounded by social and policy hurdles.
Events like the March On walk are designed in direct response to these grim statistics. They aren’t just about raising money; they’re about shining a spotlight on what Soldier On CEO Paul Singer called “alarming statistics that demand national attention” (goulburnpost.com.au). By gathering people together, these walks acknowledge the hardships veterans face, from “the most difficult mission” of leaving service, to the invisible wounds of trauma and loss.
The Power of Community and Connection
A recurring theme across all sources is the profound sense of belonging and support these events create. For many veterans, leaving the tightly knit world of the military can feel like losing a second family. Marches and walks rebuild that sense of camaraderie. As one participant from 50milemarch.org explained, walking alongside others who “share a deep commitment to supporting my fellow veterans” provided a “renewed sense of purpose and connection.” Veterans, family members, and supporters walk side by side, often “with every participant having a story” (goulburnpost.com.au)—whether they served themselves or are walking for someone they love.
The emotional impact is far-reaching. At the Milwaukee VA’s ruck march (va.gov), veterans and their families joined for a two-mile walk, pausing at “resiliency points” to symbolically leave behind burdens and pick up resources. “It’s hard to know what’s going on with someone if you can’t see them,” said one Air Force veteran, highlighting how these gatherings allow people to “see each other” again after periods of isolation. This sense of visibility and mutual support is crucial, as “just having somebody in our corner” can be life-changing for those struggling in silence.
Raising Awareness and Reducing Stigma
Another key role of these events is to break the silence around veteran mental health and other challenges. By turning out in public—sometimes in the thousands, as with the March On Challenge (soldieron.org.au)—participants make the struggles of veterans visible to the broader community. The symbolism is often powerful: The 96-kilometer walk in the March On event mirrors the length of the Kokoda Track, a nod to the resilience and sacrifice of past servicemembers, while also focusing attention on the needs of those serving today.
Awareness is not just about headlines; it’s about changing attitudes and encouraging others to reach out. As news.va.gov stresses, “sharing information about the challenges Veterans face” helps foster understanding and can motivate others to get involved. These events often incorporate moments of reflection, resource tables, and opportunities for veterans to share their stories—helping to reduce stigma and encourage those struggling to seek help.
Direct Funding for Life-Changing Programs
The fundraising aspect of these walks is critical. Soldier On’s March On Challenge alone has covered over 312,000 kilometers and raised more than $2.2 million, with a goal of reaching $3 million (goulburnpost.com.au). These funds don’t just disappear into general coffers; they are earmarked for practical programs in “health and wellbeing, employment, learning and education, participation and connection.” Soldier On supports between 12,000 and 15,000 veterans and families annually, and demand is only growing.
Similarly, the 50 Mile March Foundation has watched its impact soar—from raising $25,000 in 2020 to over $783,000 in 2025 (50milemarch.org). Every dollar goes toward battling homelessness, mental health challenges, and providing hope. As the Foundation puts it, “Veterans should not be a statistic.” The money raised funds not just crisis intervention, but also long-term supports like job training, housing assistance, and peer support networks.
Empowerment Through Participation
There’s a deeper layer to these events: They empower veterans and civilians alike. Taking part in a challenging walk—sometimes 50 miles, sometimes 96 kilometers—requires grit, teamwork, and determination. For some, it’s a way to “push my body further than I could have ever imagined,” as one marcher shared on 50milemarch.org. For others, the act of volunteering or organizing is a way to give back and find renewed purpose.
These events are open to anyone, and it’s not uncommon to see families, friends, and even local officials walking together. This inclusivity helps bridge the civilian-military gap, allowing the broader community to “stand in solidarity with our veteran community” (soldieron.org.au). It also helps veterans see themselves not as isolated individuals but as part of a much larger movement for change.
Advocacy and the Power of a Public Voice
Beyond funding and camaraderie, marches and rallies can be powerful tools for advocacy. Large-scale events like the “Unite for Veterans, Unite for America” rally in Washington, D.C., are organized specifically to “call for the protection of veterans’ benefits and jobs” (military.com). These gatherings remind policymakers and the public that “the veterans’ voice is strong, and the American people support us.” In times of proposed budget cuts or threats to services, mass mobilization can “preserve veterans’ jobs and benefits and promote the protection of democratic principles,” as organizers told military.com.
This advocacy role is echoed at the grassroots level. On platforms like reddit.com, veterans are organizing and volunteering to “stand up for the good of the federal workforce, this community, and the country.” The collective act of marching, whether for policy change or to raise awareness, demonstrates that veterans are not passive recipients of charity but active agents fighting for their own—and each other’s—futures.
Building a Network of Resilience
Finally, these events function as hubs where veterans can connect with resources tailored to their needs. At the Milwaukee VA’s ruck march, resource tables from the VA and local partners offered information and direct support at the finish line (va.gov). This model is echoed in other walks, where participants are introduced to services ranging from mental health counseling to employment assistance. As one participant put it, “all the people at the resource tables around us and the people from the VA have come together to make this network of support.”
By bringing together government agencies, nonprofits, and community volunteers, these events create a safety net for veterans at every stage of their journey. Whether it’s a newly discharged soldier or a Vietnam veteran facing new challenges, the message is clear: “You don’t have to navigate that journey alone” (goulburnpost.com.au).
A Call to Action
What’s striking across all these accounts is that anyone can get involved. The advice from news.va.gov is simple: “Every little bit helps.” Whether you’re walking, donating, volunteering, or simply talking to others about these issues, you’re part of a larger movement that’s changing lives. As the March On Challenge urges, “Every step taken and every dollar raised goes directly towards life-changing programs that help veterans transition successfully to civilian life” (soldieron.org.au).
The work is far from over. The need is urgent, as shown by the rising rates of suicide, homelessness, and invisible wounds. But every march, every lap walked in a city park, every story shared, chips away at the barriers veterans face.
In summary, events like the March On walk do much more than raise money—they raise hope. They create spaces where veterans can heal, connect, and be seen. They educate the public, challenge stigma, and push for better policies. Most importantly, they remind every veteran that, even in the hardest moments after service, they are not alone in the journey. As Soldier On’s Paul Singer put it, “We stand ready to provide the support they or a carer need to survive after their service.” In the end, these marches are about walking together, step by step, toward a future where every veteran can thrive.