CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) — Participants of the Carry the Load Memorial Day Campaign will walk 20,000 miles to honor and remember fallen heroes across the U.S.

The goal is to walk a dozen miles a day, starting in a new city each morning. The campaign is a month long, with participants living out of a bus hoping to spread the message of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

The campaign officially started on April 29th and Charlottesville was the designated spot for the participants to walk today.

Mia McGurl is one of the eight participants on the East Coast route. Each day she “carries” American heroes with her on her backpack. To her, this is the true meaning of Memorial Day.

“One of the most memorable things that I’ve learned when I’ve been out here is that nobody dies once, they die twice. Once when they pass away and the second is when nobody says their name anymore. They’re forgotten. So, Memorial Day to me is making sure they’re not forgotten and making sure they’re still being celebrated,” said McGurl.

The nonprofit hopes to raise $2 million to support and assist the challenges faced by the military, veterans, first responders and their families. 

The relay goes until Memorial Day when the participants will end in Houston, Texas. Along the way, they will meet veterans, and other participants carrying the load.