Over the past 10 days, Ray Palmer, father of fallen Private Scott Palmer, and Rob Moerland, father of fallen Sapper Jacob Moerland, walked 400km  from Mataranka to Darwin.

Along with other 'Families of the Fallen', wounded, injured and ill ex-servicemen, as well as veterans and supporters, Mr Palmer walked 10km for each of the 40 Australian soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan, in a bid to help raise awareness and funds for former service men and women who served in Afghanistan to take part in commemorative Kokoda treks.

A guard of honour - made up of Australian troops and US Marines - waited for the walkers at Robertson Barracks yesterday morning, standing attention before applauding, when Mr Palmer and his team walked into the barracks. 

 “The walk was about us, the families of the fallen, wanting to do something for those that have returned from Afghanistan with physical and psychological wounds.” Mr Palmer said.  

"Walking together and spending time with people who have seen similar things and have gone through similar experiences in Afghanistan - people who understand - is an incredibly powerful experience," he said.

“I used to speak with my son Scott about walking the Kokoda trail one day. 

"We were not able to walk it together but I’m sure he would be happy that we are able to help out his mates by giving them this opportunity.”

Rob Moreland said walking alongside family members of other fallen soldiers in an aim to raise money for those still suffering was his way of continuing his son Jacobs’s "legacy of mateship".

"I have grown up with an ex-serving father, and even though I haven’t experienced military mateship myself, I believe through both of them I have an understanding of what it means," he said.

"This is more than a walk.

"My memory of Jacob never giving up has encouraged me to endure the heat, aches, pains, and fatigue. I won’t give up on him or his mates.”

Upon arrival in Darwin Mr Palmer said he was proud of the achievements of the 400km walk that has raised more than $18,000 already.

"It was a long way and very hot but we did it because we want our sons and the veterans to be remembered. 

"As families of the fallen, having lost our sons, we don’t want veterans left behind and will do what we can to heal wounds and connect them with people who care.” Mr Palmer said.

Both Mr Palmer and Mr Moerland have completed the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea as part of the Soldiers Kokoda programs.

For them and for the soldiers that have attended these programs, it has been a life changing experience - one that helps them to open up, share their experiences and start to heal and reconnect.  

Money raised during the walk for the 'Families of the Fallen' will be used to send ex-servicemen and family members of fallen soldiers to Kokoda.

Donate to Families of the Fallen

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