The University of Alabama and Auburn University will join forces in a Thanksgiving week march across the state to raise awareness about the suicide rate among veterans.

Members of UA’s Crimson Legion and Auburn’s Student Veterans Association will participate in the fifth annual Operation Iron Ruck, which will begin in Auburn on Nov. 23 and end in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 26 before the Iron Bowl kicks off at 2:30 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“Almost every veteran and service member’s life has been touched by veteran suicide at some point,” said Tiffany Laurie, president of the UA Crimson Legion.