Norwich — When fall weather arrives, it’s not unusual to see walkathons, awareness walks for various causes, but the Silkies Hike that will traverse city streets on Saturday will be quite a different spectacle.
Hundreds of veterans and active military service members from all branches and even foreign services will don tight, short shorts — some wearing not much else — and carry flags or other accessories. They’ll cheer, sing, chant and whoop their way through downtown Norwich on their way to the Mohegan Sun Casino.
The fourth annual Silkies Hike, coordinated by Irreverent Warriors and Guardians of the Purple Heart, basically is a mental health day for veterans and active service members, district coordinator Doug Capazzi of Waterford said. Only service people are invited to the free hike, and spectators are welcome to line the route, honk, cheer and wave flags to greet the walkers.
“It’s pretty much a day for veterans battling the mental demons and battling the stuff internally to open up and talk about their struggles,” Capazzi said. “It’s a sight to be seen. The camaraderie, the antics, the debacles. It’s hilarious.”
The hike will begin at the state Department of Motor Vehicles parking lot on Route 82 near the Holiday Inn. Walkers can register starting at 8 a.m. until the 9 a.m. step-off time. Participants will walk the length of West Main Street to downtown, continue up Washington Street to Chelsea Parade and then continue to Lafayette Street and Canggio Restaurant for lunch.
After lunch, they will continue the walk along Sachem Street to Broadway to downtown, passing City Hall. They’ll head down Bath Street to Franklin Street and stop at Epicure Brewing, where 86’d Bar & Eatery will cater more food for the hikers before they continue to Oak Street, through Greeneville, over the Viaduct and…
Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, at the memorial for Chief Nimhan at Van Cortlandt Park 
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