Spring sun shining, Canberra City Pipes and Drums playing Waltzing Matilda and Private Liam Haven, with his eight supporters and two guide dogs striding shoulder to shoulder up Anzac Parade at the end of a 14-day, 350-kilometre walk.

Setting out from Sydney, they had walked to Wollongong, up the mountains to Goulburn, across to Queanbeyan and finally Canberra raising money and awareness for contemporary veterans’ charity Soldier On and guide dogs.

Awaiting them at the Australian War Memorial were Private Haven’s girlfriend Louise Davidson and her sister Brigid, Returned Services League executives from around the country, military brass and Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

Nothing at Monday morning’s fanfare could contrast more with Private Haven’s depression that had threatened to overwhelm him over the past five years.

A roadside bomb exploded near him in Iraq in 2008, sending shrapnel into his throat, and taking out an eye, leaving him with only 2 per cent of his vision.

‘‘I’ve gone through a massive depressive spell and I was in rehab for alcohol abuse for a little bit and I’ve had massive highlights like going sky diving and bungee jumping and trips to Timor and to Thailand with my best mate,’’ he said on completing the walk.

‘‘But nothing compares to something like this. The satisfaction that you get from it is amazing.’’

Recovery proved a struggle at first. ‘‘I didn’t admit it, I put on a brave face,’’ he said. He learnt to play the guitar and wrote a song for one of his mates, Private Grant Kirby, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in August 2010.

Private Haven said society these days was growing up with idols like movie stars who were hailed as heroes as he was, ‘‘for forgetting to duck’’. But his heroes were ordinary folk like the man in Kangaroo Valley who saw him with his supporters and slipped home to get dog bones and water for the guide dogs. Other heroes included Dr Kate Gazzard who tended to his blisters at the end of each day’s 60- kilometre walk. She also strapped his foot after he had rolled his ankle.

He said Grant Kirby was a special hero, who always had a smoke for him when he ran out, a drink and a joke.

After raising more than $50,000 on his walk, Kirby’s Song was his closure, which he sang after a minute’s silence.

‘‘As the years go by

‘‘I miss your eyes

‘‘I miss your smile

‘‘I just wanted to have that drink with you

‘‘Under the blue skies.’’

Private Kirby’s parents Gary and Dianne stood behind the 25 year-old soldier listening to their son’s tribute.