In the News Archives - Page 12 of 86

May 22, 2024

Fort Cavazos hosts Carry The Load event

‘Carry The Load’ in Pensacola for East Coast leg of national relay

Veterans group walks as reminder of purpose for Memorial Day

FOX 7 Austin

By: Rudy Koski

AUSTIN, Texas - A special veterans support organization was in Austin on Tuesday for a stop at the State Capitol.

The group called "Carry The Load" is doing a month-long, cross-country march to Dallas, where a big Memorial Day event will be held.

The local volunteers joined a core group that has been walking since May 2.

"The Carry The Load West Coast relay team will walk about 4,400 miles, from Seattle all the way to Dallas. And we're just one of five teams. So, there are four other teams across the country that are putting in the miles, and collectively we'll go over about 20,000 miles," said team leader Colton Morrow.

About 200 employees from JPMorgan Chase, a co-sponsor of the Austin event, took part in a roughly three-mile journey from South Austin. They walked along the hike and bike trail across Lady Bird Lake to downtown Austin. It was done as part of an effort to refocus on the true meaning of Memorial Day.

"Everybody does it in a little bit different way. And I think that people being able to experience this and learn from others and how they remember the fallen and remember those who have served, both who are still with us today and those who have fallen during battle," said David Brewton, with JPMorgan Chase.

For some, each step is personal. Attached to their backs were the names of friends and family who made the ultimate sacrifice. Nikie Lunday said she was thinking of her grandfather and uncle as she made the walk through town.

"I was, I can't even imagine the experiences that they had when they were in the Army and served overseas," said Lundy.

The group walked up Congress and crossed 11th to the south steps of the State Capitol for a rally. Since 2011, the organization has raised more than $402 million, with most of the money going to care programs.

"We have 50 nonprofit partners that partner with us, and they go and do the work. So, they give veteran assistance for counseling, scholarships for kids, all different kinds of programs for veterans and first responders. Those nonprofit partners, you know, do the groundwork for getting the help that people need," said Morrow.

The walk is also for first responders. Olivia Terry is honoring her father, a firefighter who died in the line of duty in 2017.

"This is I mean, everything. I mean, it's so important just to remember, you know, the people that we've lost and to talk with others and kind of just start that healing," said Terry.

The rally wrapped up with a traditional rifle volley and taps.

"The families of the people that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I get up every morning, and they put on their shoes, and they go to work, and they do their thing. So, the least we can do is come out and do a little walking," said Morrow.

Once in Dallas, Carry The Load will hold a two-day march starting Sunday, May 26, and continuing on Monday.

Here in Austin, those who want to help prepare for Memorial Day can help place flags at grave sites in the state cemetery. That work will take place on Saturday, May 25, at 9 a.m. Those who want to volunteer are asked to bring gloves and a screwdriver to make holes for the flag sticks.

May 21, 2024

Fallen heroes honored during Carry The Load march for Memorial Day in Austin

Austin American-Statesman

May 21, 2024

Carry The Load presents: The Ripple

WFAA

May 21, 2024

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs join forces with Carry The Load for 2024 Memorial May Relay March

Blue Ribbon News

By: Melanie M.

Rockwall, TX (May 21, 2024) – Patriot PAWS Service Dogs joins forces with Carry The Load, once again, as Nonprofit Partner to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s military, Veterans, first responders, and their families. As an active Nonprofit Partner, Patriot PAWS will be participating in Carry The Load’s 2024 Memorial May National Relay and Dallas Memorial March.

Carry The Load, a Dallas, TX based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, kicked off their 2024 Memorial May National Relay on April 29^th with five relay routes walking from coast to coast. The five relays combined will total 20,000 miles through 48 states of our great nation, with 69 community events, including 32 VA National Cemeteries. All relay routes will simultaneously meet at Reverchon Park for the 14^th Annual Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day Weekend.

Patriot PAWS Team Members will proudly be participating in certain legs of the following routes for the 2024 Memorial May Campaign:

East Coast Route | Kicked off April 29^th in West Point, NY
New England Route | Kicked off May 1^st in Burlington, VT
West Coast Route | Kicked off May 2^nd in Seattle, WA
Midwest Route | Kicked off May 5^th in Minneapolis, MN
Dallas Memorial March | Kicks off May 26^th– 27^th in Dallas, TX

“We’re very honored to be a Nonprofit Partner of Carry The Load again this year and bring awareness to their mission,” states Lori Stevens, Founder & Executive Director of Patriot PAWS Service Dogs. “It’s crucial for our nation to remember that freedom isn’t free. Our hearts ache for the families that lost their loved ones in service to our nation, or as a result of the internal battle within upon returning home. The National Relay shows our promise to their families that we will never forget their names or sacrifices. I am proud of my staff for participating in this event, year after year.”

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs will be present at Reverchon Park for the Dallas Memorial March on May 26^th & 27^th, under the Nonprofit Partner Tent, with information about their mission, ways to become involved as a volunteer, and resources for Veterans and/or civilians that may be in need of a Service Dog to mitigate mobile disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and/or Post-Traumatic Stress.

Through Carry The Load’s Continuum of Care Program, Patriot PAWS Service Dogs will be accepting donations to fuel their mission through their Carry The Load Team Page. 100% of each donation received through their page will come back to their program, in full. Donations $30+ will receive a limited edition 2024 Memorial May Carry The Load – Patriot PAWS co-branded shirt, while supplies last.

To learn more about Carry The Load’s honorable mission and find a Memorial May Relay near you, visit www.carrytheload.org.

May 21, 2024

Fort Cavazos hosts Carry The Load event

ABC 7

May 21, 2024

‘Carry The Load’ relay honors veterans today

THV11

May 20, 2024

Carry The Load national relay makes its way through Rockwall County on Saturday

Rockwall County Herald-Banner

By: Kent Miller

Rockwall County will be among the final stops for participants in the annual Carry The Load walk before ending a 20,000-mile national relay trek over the Memorial Day weekend in Dallas.

Carry The Load is a non-profit that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of military, veterans, first responders and their families. The monthlong campaign kicked off on April 29. It has featured stops in 48 states and 33 VA National Cemeteries.

After making several stops in Hunt County, walkers will leave Royse City High School on Saturday at 9 p.m. before making a stop at Fate Department of Public Safety (leaving at midnight). A rally will be held at the Rockwall County Courthouse beginning at 1 a.m. with walkers leaving the courthouse to continue their journeys at about 2:30 a.m.

What started in 2011 as one Memorial Day march has catapulted in numbers and impact. This year, thousands of participants will walk in Carry The Load’s National Relay.

“Memorial May unites thousands of people under a common purpose and it’s been incredible to see participants honor our fallen heroes together,” said Stephen Holley, co-founder, president and CEO of Carry The Load and a veteran Navy SEAL.

Carry The Load raises funds to assist with many challenges facing military, veterans, first responders and their families. The non-profit’s goal this year is raise $2 million through peer-to-peer fundraising. Since 2011, Carry The Load has raised more than $42 million with a remarkable 93% of donations going toward its programs.

For more information, visit www.carrytheload.org or carrytheload.org/newsroom.

Also seen in: Royse City Herald-Banner

May 20, 2024

The 14th annual Carry The Load’s national relay came through the Fountain City

WRBL News 3

By: Michelle Jennings

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Carry The Load’s National Relay came through Columbus Monday morning to honor and remember our nation’s fallen military and first responders.

Carry The Load is a non-profit founded by two Navy SEALS who were upset with how Americans commemorated the weekend. They decided to walk around a lake in Dallas for 20 hours and 11 minutes on a mission to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day.

The first relay began in 2012 and since then the non-profit has raised more than $42 million. This year, the non-profit’s goal is to raise $2 million through peer-to-peer fundraising.

Judd Word, a military veteran and a first responder, has been working with Carry The Load since 2017.

He said having one organization that encompasses everyone from veterans to first responders and pools resources to help both is amazing.

The relay has five routes that cover 20,000 miles across 48 states ending in Dallas, Texas on Memorial Day Weekend.

Also seen in: Yahoo News and Patch.com

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