In the News Archives - Carry The Load

May 8, 2025

Carry the Load stops in Erie raising awareness for veterans’ sacrifices

Yahoo! News

A nationwide movement known as Carry the Load visited Erie, hoping to help restore the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Carry the Load travels throughout the country to unite Americans in appreciation for the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served in the military.

Thursday, groups walked through Erie with the names of people on their minds that they carry with them every day.

“One of the things that we hear a lot in our world is when you have heroes that die like this, they die twice. The first time when they actually pass away and the second time that they die is when we stop speaking their names. If you ever look at all of our boards, it says ‘always remember,’ and we like to say ‘never forget.’ We want to do that because we want those stories passed along,” said David Lindsey, a Carry the Load nationwide events team member.

The movement is heading to Chicago next as they continue to travel the country. They’ll end their tour in Texas.

May 8, 2025

Carry The Load Stops In Erie for 2nd Straight Year

Erie News Now

May 7, 2025

‘Carry the Load’ honors fallen heroes and families this Memorial Day

Fox 10 WALA

Some are walking a mile while others march for 20 hours during Carry the Load's remembrance walk honoring our fallen heroes.

For more than a decade, the national non-profit Carry the Load has been walking across America. It started in 2011 when two U.S. Navy Seal wanted to bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day by honoring veterans who gave everything for our freedoms.

Their mission has grown into a movement with walks in cities across the country, including in Mobile and Pensacola. The goal is to unite Americans in appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who ‘carried the load’ for all.

Carry the Load’s East Coast event coordinator Hunter Lovelace said he’s honored to help organize events and participate in the walk.

“People die two deaths,” Lovelace said. “The first one is when they leave the physical body, the second one is when someone says their name for the last time. And so that’s our goal at Carry the Load is to continue to say those names, tell their stories so that that way they can continue to live on in memory and in spirit.”

He said this year, four teams are traveling across the country during the Month of May. They’re walking throughout the day and taking a van from one location to the next during the night. The East Coast team will make several stops along the gulf coast in Pensacola and Mobile.

Lovelace says the community event will happen at the USS Alabama Memorial Battleship Park on May 20th. Participants will be walking almost a mile around the park and every step taken and every dollar raised supports their mission to provide healing services for our heroes and their families.

Before making it to Mobile, there will be four stops in Pensacola on May 20th at the Home Depot on Davis Hwy., Veterans Memorial Park, Blue Wahoos Stadium and Greer’s Cashsaver on Barrancas Ave. Over the years, the mission has raised more than $42,000,000.

Lovelace said they started their journey in West Point, New York and will end up in Dallas on Memorial Day for the annual Dallas Memorial March. They will join family, friends and others in the community to celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day.

“What Carry the Load truly means to me is the ability to help out others who have given so much to help us even though they don’t know our names, but they are willing to sacrifice their lives for us each and every day, so the least I can do is come out and walk 5-10 miles during the month of May in honor of those,” said Lovelace.

The money raised throughout Memorial May supports military, veterans, first responders and their families so they can access services like counseling, suicide prevention, service dogs and so much more.

Watch the news story here.

May 6, 2025

Memorial Day event in Rensselaer honors local fallen heroes

CBS 6 Albany

A special Memorial Day event is taking place today in the Capital Region, honoring local fallen heroes. The Rensselaer Police Department is hosting "Carry the Load" at Riverfront Park, a tribute to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and John Grassia, both of whom died in an Army National Guard helicopter crash in March of last year.

The event will feature a walk through the city, covering over 5 miles, followed by a ceremony and speeches at Riverfront Park. Attendees will have the opportunity to share stories with Gold Star families, veterans, and first responders.

CBS6 has spoken with James Frankoski, Casey's father, who said, "They say when you join the army, you write a blank check. And the two of them gave their lives for this country. They wrote the blank check."

Senator Jake Ashby added, "And their sacrifice should push us beyond the horizons of our own pursuits. What we strive to do each day should be challenged."

Watch the news story here.

May 6, 2025

Carry The Load Carries On In Yardley: Photos

Patch

The Yardley-Makefield Fire Company captured the Carry The Load Walk as the 4-mile trek made its way from Washington Crossing Park into the borough last week.

Carry the Load is a 4,500-mile relay that will pass through Bucks County on its way to Dallas. The trek began at West Point, N.Y., and brings awareness "to the true meaning of Memorial Day," the organization states.

Founded by Veteran U.S. Navy SEALs, Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley, Carry The Load started as a mission to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Today, it has grown to include more than just the nation's military heroes and more than just one holiday. Carry The Load works to bring all Americans together to participate in honoring the nation’s heroes every day.

See the photos from the event here.

May 6, 2025

Carry the Load feels the love in Smyrna

Bay To Bay News

May 6, 2025

Carry The Load Hosts its Annual Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day Weekend to Honor Fallen Heroes

Associated Press

Carry The Load, a national non-profit veteran and first responder service organization, will host its Annual Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day weekend at Reverchon Park. The two-day community event concludes Carry The Load’s month of events nationwide that give Americans the opportunity to honor the sacrifices made by our nation’s military, veterans, first responders, and their families.

Carry The Load started in 2011 as a grassroots effort by Veteran U.S. Navy SEALs, Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley, to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day. The Dallas Memorial March remains the organization’s signature event, drawing thousands of attendees every year.

“Many of us have lost loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but every American owes our freedom to these brave men and women,” says Holley, co-founder, president, and CEO of Carry The Load. “The Dallas Memorial March helps ensure Memorial Day is understood and treated with respect in tangible ways.”

Each Memorial May, Carry The Load raises much-needed funds to assist with challenges facing service members, veterans, and their families. Peer-to-peer fundraising and donations go toward strengthening nationwide services such as counseling, adaptive training, suicide prevention, equine therapy, service dogs, job placements, transition, home improvements, education scholarships for children of the fallen, and more. This year’s goal is to raise $1.5 million. Since 2011, Carry The Load has raised $46 million, with 93% of the funds raised going directly to programs.

About the Dallas Memorial March

The Dallas Memorial March is open to the public and begins on Sunday, May 25 at 12:00 PM and continues through the night until Monday, May 26 at 1:00 PM at Reverchon Park in Dallas. The flagship event is a two-day embodiment of Carry The Load’s values and mission to celebrate our heroes, remember the fallen, and educate communities on how to respectfully observe Memorial Day. Enjoy inspirational speeches, stories of fallen heroes, flag ceremonies, live music, kids’ activities, and more. Highlights include:

Sunday, May 25:

12:00 PM: Gate Opens at Reverchon Park (3505 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219)
3:30 PM: Opening Ceremonies Begin
4:30 PM: Step off together to begin the 20-hour March along Katy Trail
8:00 PM: Join us for Live music in the park
12:00 AM: Silent Midnight Walk

Monday, May 26:

8:00 AM: Gates open to the public
11:15 AM: Meet at the Katy Trail Ice House to participate in the storyboard procession
11:30 AM: Join us for an offering of over $40,000 of scholarships being awarded to children of the fallen.

The Dallas Memorial March is a complimentary, family-friendly event. Registration is encouraged at CarryTheLoad.org/Memorial-May.

Sponsors of the 2025 Dallas Memorial March include Andrews Distributing, Atmos Energy, Bandera Ventures, Coors Light, Fritos, Hillwood, Peinado Construction, SRS Distribution, Turner Construction Company, USAA, WFAA, and Wiley X.

May 6, 2025

Heroes on the Water Invites You to Walk, Fundraise, and Remember This Memorial May

Associated Press

Make this Memorial May a time to remember the heroes who gave everything for our freedom. Heroes on the Water (HOW) is proud to continue its role as an official nonprofit partner of Carry the Load’s Memorial May campaign, a nationwide movement that restores the true meaning of Memorial Day.

This year, HOW invites community members to walk with purpose, fundraise with heart, and reflect with gratitude. Supporters can participate from anywhere or meet up with the HOW national team at two key events: the Houston Community Event (May 24) and the Dallas Memorial March (May 25–26). Go to CarryTheLoad.org for event details.

“Every May, we pause to honor the men and women who gave everything for our country. It's a sacred time for reflection, but also a time for action,” says Neil Mullaney, Col (Ret), USAF, and Executive Director of HOW. “By joining our teams, walking beside us, or supporting the cause financially, you're actively helping our veterans, and first responders find healing and purpose beyond service.”

Heroes on the Water stands with Carry The Load to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Since 2011, HOW has proudly participated in Memorial May as a nonprofit partner, uniting outdoor healing with remembrance.

Walk and fundraise with us. There are many ways to get involved this Memorial May:

Join the HOW national team and raise funds to support outdoor wellness programs for veterans, first responders, and their families
Start your own team to walk and fundraise for HOW

Meet up with HOW at the Houston Community Event (May 24) or Dallas Memorial March (May 25-26)
Carry the name or story of a fallen hero, honoring their legacy and reminding others of the true cost of freedom

“This is more than a march, it’s a moment to honor sacrifice and extend healing to those still with us,” says Neil. “We invite you to walk alongside our teams, share your story, and support those continuing to serve their communities long after their uniforms are retired. By fundraising through Carry The Load, you directly help us serve more heroes who are struggling in silence.”

Participation is open to all ages and fitness levels. Whether you walk a few blocks, complete an entire leg of the relay, or focus solely on fundraising, your effort carries meaning. Walking with HOW is a way to pay tribute to those we’ve lost while providing healing opportunities for those who continue to carry the weight of service.

“Since the first Carry The Load event on Memorial Day in 2011, we’ve collaborated with like-minded organizations to help strengthen each other’s mission,” says Stephen Holley, co-founder, president and CEO of Carry The Load and veteran U.S. Navy SEAL. “It's truly inspiring to see the positive impact our collaboration with Heroes on the Water has had on the lives of so many people over the years.”

To register, donate, or build a team, visit: http://participate.carrytheload.org/goto/HOWNational2025
For national relay schedules and event details, visit carrytheload.org/memorial-may

May 5, 2025

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