SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Marines and veterans stripped down, loaded up and trekked together Saturday to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
The marchers walked from Mission Beach to La Jolla, wearing very short- shorts, known as 'silkies'.
They carried packs weighing 22 kilograms, nearly 50 pounds of gear.
Marchers say the weight represents the 22 service members who die from suicide each day.
"They look at me and like, you look like nothing's wrong with you. It not the fact that nothing's wrong with me, it's just that I've lost buddies just to suicide, more buddies than in combat itself, " U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Michael Cruz said.
Marchers say the walk extends camaraderie and understanding to those suffering post-traumatic stress.