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'A sense of belonging': Chris Sharp, who served as a sergeant, holds daughter Ruby, while his wife Jocelyn is pictured with Hayley. Photo: James Boddington

As Afghanistan veteran Chris Sharp marched down St Kilda Road focused and proud, out of the corner of his eye he saw a sign in the crowd with the words "welcome home".

The enormity of the momentous occasion washed over him, blurring his eyes with tears.

More than 1400 Australian Defence Force personnel marched to the Shrine of Remembrance on Saturday morning to commemorate the end of Australia's 13-year operation in Afghanistan.

The parade honoured Australian servicemen and women who have served in Afghanistan since 2001.

Crowds lined St Kilda Road, some joyous, cheering and waving flags, others sombre and reflective.

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"You're in a bit of a zone at the start, you're just marching," Chris, who served as a sergeant in the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle command, said.

"You hear the crowd cheer and see a sign out of the corner of your eye and it kind of brings you back to reality.

"You get a sense of belonging and that the people, the public, do care. It means a lot."

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'Welcome home': Afghanistan veterans march in Melbourne