May 15, 2024
Carry The Load Relay makes its way through North Dakota
By: Taylor Aasen
MANDAN, ND (KXNET) — Wednesday, May 15, is known as National Peace Officer’s Memorial Day. If you’ve seen people walking around North Dakota with flags, here’s why.
The Carry The Load National Relay was founded by two veteran U.S. Navy SEALS, Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley in 2011.
There are five routes that go across the contiguous U.S., four of which start at the beginning of May. The Mountain State Route, which leads through North Dakota, began on Wednesday though.
The mission of the relay is to bring back the true meaning to Memorial Day, on which all five routes will end in Dallas.
As they walk across 48 states for the next few weeks, they carry the names of those who have sacrificed their lives for others — even if they weren’t soldiers or firefighters.
Walkers with Carry The Load say that it’s important to speak the names that have sacrificed their lives to keep their legacy alive.
“For Memorial Day, when you’re out there enjoying your barbeques and your family time, we want you to do that, that’s what these people gave up their lives for,” began Rilea Stapf, Media Liaison for Carry The Load.
“They want you to spend time with your family and love on them, but please take a minute during that time to just show appreciation for the folks that don’t get to do any of that because their families do hurt, and they mourn. We just like to let them know that we haven’t forgotten about them,” Stapf explained.
As they continue along their journey, they encourage anyone and everyone to join them on their walk. Their journey today began in Bismarck, and they walked to the Mandan Fire Department to Station One. Then, their partners went from Station One to Station Two.
Firefighters at the Mandan Fire Station say they hold fundraisers like this close to their heart.
“For us, whether it’s the week of the Firefighter Memorial where we celebrate and remember the people that passed away in the fire service or it’s National Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, we all work as one family,” began Andy Beck, Firefighter and Training officer at the Mandan Fire Department.
“So whether it’s law enforcement or fire, anytime we have those losses they hit pretty hard. To take a moment and to have an organization that supports that is important,” Beck explained.
The next stop for Carry The Load will be in South Dakota. Overall, they will walk around 20 thousand miles.
If you would like to donate, or join the movement, head to their website.
Also seen in: Romulan News Channel
May 15, 2024
‘Carry The Load’: Actively honoring the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes
By: Rob Powers
Making its way to Dallas, one step at a time. Literally.
“Carry The Load” made its way into Northeast Ohio Monday. It started with a mission to restore the meaning of Memorial Day, but the group has expanded its efforts to include the sacrifices of first responders as well.
Bryce Roland told us, “’Carry The Load’s’ mission is to provide an active way to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes and their families.”
Five teams are spread throughout the country, with the goal of walking about 20,000 miles to Dallas, Texas in 32 days.
The teams will stop periodically, to spread the message and honor local heroes, like Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick, who lost his life in the line of duty last year. The newest class of Cleveland firefighter cadets came to meet ‘Carry The Load’, and honor Tetrick at the Firefighters Memorial.
“They’re always going to know Johnny Tetrick,” Jake Konys from Firefighters Local 93 said. “And they’re going to remember this event every time they come down here and see that name on the wall.”
It’s a very public way to honor something so personal, as Colton Morrow explained: “These people all have families and friends, and they hurt every day…the least we can do is do a little walking, say their names, tell their stories, and keep them alive.”
More information can be found here.
May 15, 2024
Nonprofit Begins Walking Route in Fargo to Honor Fallen First Responders
By: Gabriel Ostler
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - “Carry The Load,” an organization dedicated to honoring first responders and raising money for the family and loved ones they’ve left behind, have been in North Dakota before.
But this year is special.
It’s the first time they’ve been in Fargo -- and not only that, they’re beginning their march to Dallas from this very spot.
“We’re very excited to extend out, and make connections, share the word, and get more people out with us,” said Jessica Kessel, a leg captain for Carry The Load.
A decent crowd showed up at the three Fargo checkpoints today, despite rains that occasionally bordered on torrential. Carry The Load says they appreciate the support, and they proceed with their mission no matter what.
“It means a lot for us to have people come out rain or shine,” said Kessel, “but we do walk, rain or shine, no matter what the weather’s like.”
May 15, 2024
“Carry The Load” Memorial Relay kicks off in Fargo
By: Dylan Haar, Alex Bertsch
Carry The Load, a charity providing active ways to honor and celebrate our nation’s heroes, started its Midwest route of its national relay in Fargo.
Participants carry the thoughts of the fallen soldiers with them, writing their names on their backs.
They say remembering the names of fallen soldiers helps their memory live on.
“They say you die twice. You have your physical death and then you have the death when people forget your name. So if we’re continuing to put your names on everything and say them and share stories, it’s very impactful, and it kind of just keeps them alive a little bit,” said Jessica Kessel of Carry The Load.
The full route spans the lower 48 states and over 20,000 miles in total, culminating in the Dallas Memorial March over Memorial Day weekend.