Nancy and Brian Smith, of Salisbury Township, have made it their life's mission to ensure the memory of their son Joshua Smith, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps 2003-2011, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan, is not forgotten.

Josh, who suffered from traumatic brain injuries, as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder relating to his military service, took his own life Nov. 5, 2012.

On Aug. 9, the Smiths celebrated what would have been Josh's 30th birthday at a memorial 5K run/walk at Lone Lane Park in Upper Macungie Township.

The event benefited the Keystone Wounded Warriors organization.

The event drew a sizable crowd of exercise enthusiasts, as well as former military members who came out to express their deep and abiding gratitude for Josh, and those like him, who served the nation, and more importantly, raise awareness for the high rate of suicide among military veterans.

Sunday's event marks the second year the benefit has been held. The Keystone Wounded Warriors organization has named the event after Josh.

"It's to honor Josh and his birthday and for us, it's to raise money for the Keystone Wounded Warriors," Nancy said. "That's our mission, so other families do not have to go through what we have had to go through."

Nancy said her son had a persona that drew others to him.

"Josh's personality was infectious," she said. "His presence was known. He would do anything for anybody."

Nancy specifically recalls a time when she and her son were at a Wawa. She said a young man in front of them was having a difficult time changing his tire. Josh, Nancy said, sprung into action and immediately helped the man change the tire. The man asked Josh what he could do for him. According to Nancy, Josh told the young man, "Just remember someone in need. Just pass it on."

Brian, a former Marine who served 1980-1987, said it was ingrained in Josh from the beginning to serve his country in the military.

"Between me and my dad, serving in the Army, it was a patriotic duty kind of thing," he said.

Grandparents Leona and Earl Smith, of Macungie, attended Sunday's event. Earl, a Korean War veteran, served in the U.S. Army 1953-1955. Earl was recognized at the event as an honor veteran.

The event was overwhelming and served its core purpose, Brian said.

"It was quite a day," Brian said. "Josh brought us all together. We are continuing to live life as Josh would have wanted to live life.

Brian said Josh was a perfectionist with a flamboyant personality. He is best remembered by Brian as always sharing a smile with those around him.

On the day he took his life, Brian said Josh joked with him as Brian was shaving in the bathroom, leaving as he usually did, with a big smile on his face.

"He always wanted to leave the room with a smile on his face and leave others with a smile on their face," Brian said.

In terms of Josh's service in the Marine Corps, Brian said he excelled at living the life of a Marine. Josh was meritoriously promoted to PFC in recruit training. Initially trained as a diesel mechanic, the last several years of his military service was spent serving as a color guard sergeant.

While Josh received treatment through the Veterans Administration for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, Brian believes improvements to the VA healthcare system need to be addressed. Specifically, he wants to see the VA hire former military members as counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists to provide care to those veterans in need of treatment.

According to a Feb. 8, 2015 story on Time.com, "Veteran suicide claims the lives of 22 veterans each day. At around 30 suicides per 100,000 veterans, the suicide rate is more than double the rate for the general population."

"The biggest solution that would help the VA would be to hire veterans," Brian said. "Servicemembers would rather talk to a service member."

The benefit 5K/walk will be an annual event held in August, Nancy said.

"We just hope that it grows more and more each year," she said.

Josh was a 2003 graduate of Salisbury High School where he was co-captain of the soccer team.