May 15, 2024
National relay honoring fallen military, first responders passes through Atlanta today
ATLANTA — Ahead of Memorial Day, national organization Carry The Load will pass through the metro Atlanta area as part of a 20,000 mile tribute walk to honor fallen military service members and first responders.
Carry The Load has worked to “restore the true meaning of Memorial Day” since 2011.
Doing so, the organization created five routes across the 48 contiguous United States “to honor and remember those who have laid down their lives for our freedom.”
For the Atlanta metro area, there are multiple locations, and dates, for participants to join in. A full list can be found online.
Also seen in: Yahoo News
May 14, 2024
Group Walks Across Nation For Fallen Heroes
By: Pristine Villarreal
Sunday in Palm Springs, locals participated in the “Carry The Load” relay.
Carry The Load is a non-profit that holds a relay every year that covers 20-thousand miles across 48 states.
Their goal is to help people remember those who have laid down their lives for our freedom.
May 14, 2024
WFAA and TEGNA Foundation award $20,000 community grant to Carry The Load
By: Ryan Wood
DALLAS — Carry The Load, a non-profit veterans services organization, has been awarded a $20,000 community grant, WFAA and the TEGNA Foundation announced Tuesday.
Carry The Load, based in Dallas, began in 2011 as an organization working to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day honoring our nation's fallen servicemembers. The organization works year round to bring Americans together to honor military heroes. The group's work includes a national relay march featuring five routes that culminate in the Dallas Memorial March at Reverchon Park on Memorial Day.
Carry The Load provides a Continuum of Care program working with businesses and charities to raise money for "services like: counseling, adaptive training, suicide prevention, equine therapy, service dogs, job placement, and more," according to Carry The Load.
Carry The Load also has a scholarship program that provides tuition assistance to students with dreams of higher education. In 2023, Carry The Load awarded a scholarship to Mark Rule, the son of a deputy constable who was killed in the line of duty in 2020.
Carry The Load has received $180,000 in community grants from WFAA and the TEGNA Foundation since 2016. This year's grant is one of 155 community grants awarded by the TEGNA Foundation and local stations in 37 TEGNA markets. Grant applications are vetted by a committee of employees at the local station and approved by the TEGNA Foundation Board of Directors.
This year, WFAA will broadcast "Carry The Load," a half-hour special featuring the Dallas Memorial March and stories of service and honor on Memorial Day at 4 p.m.
May 14, 2024
Carry The Load walks through Savannah in honor of Memorial Day
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - On Monday, a national nonprofit stopped by the Coastal Empire to help remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Carry The Load came to Savannah for a two-mile walk in recognition of Memorial Day coming up in two weeks.
The group works to raise awareness about the holiday’s true meaning - recognizing the first responders and military members who gave their lives in the line of duty.
“For years, it was a car sale, a barbeque, a mattress sale, and those things are all fine and good, but it’s more than just a day off. We want people to take a minute and to remember those military, first responders that paid that ultimate sacrifice, that gave their lives so that we can be here in a free country,” said Josh Lewis, the ambassador for Carry the Load.
May 13, 2024
Thousands of participants to walk in Carry The Load’s National Relay
Carry The Load, a non-profit that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of our military, veterans, first responders, and their families, has kicked off its Memorial May campaign.
People of all ages can join the month-long national movement to honor and remember our fallen heroes.
The 14th annual Memorial May campaign will stay true to its roots of connecting people to the true meaning of Memorial Day. 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 that spans 20,000 miles, 48 states, and 69 community events including 33 VA National Cemeteries.
The relay will converge at the Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day weekend.
Lake Charles events
Two Lake Charles events are planned for Friday, May 24:
Lake Charles Veterans Memorial Park, 4 p.m. May 24,
Coolers Icehouse, 3622 1/2 Ryan St. 6 p.m.
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New this year, Carry The Load is introducing an exciting new element of innovation to make a bigger impact. Upon registering at www.carrytheload.org, volunteers can download the Good Move app, a gamified activity tracking app that allows individuals to easily utilize their mobile device for fundraising progress and health activities such as steps walked on a live leaderboard. All participants are encouraged to register and download the Good Move app.
“Memorial May unites thousands of people under a common purpose, and it’s been incredible to see participants honor our fallen heroes together,” says Stephen Holley, co-founder, president and CEO of Carry The Load and Veteran U.S. Navy SEAL. “We’re building on previous years’ momentum with elements like the Good Move app to deepen personal engagement and help participants strengthen their connections with each other.”
People of all ages can register for free to walk with the National Relay team, attend a Community Event, and fundraise at carrytheload.org/Memorial-May.
May 13, 2024
‘Carry The Load’ Memorial Day campaign to honor fallen heroes
By: Spencer R. Smith
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Carry The Load, a non-profit that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of our military, veterans, first responders, and their families, is set to begin its Memorial May campaign on Monday, April 29.
The community, regardless of age, can join the month-long national movement to honor and remember our fallen heroes.
The 14th Annual Memorial May campaign will stay true to its roots of connecting people to the true meaning of Memorial Day.
This year, thousands of participants will walk in Carry The Load’s National Relay which spans 20,000 miles, 48 states, and 69 community events including 33 VA National Cemeteries. The relay will converge at the Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day weekend.
New this year, Carry The Load is introducing the Good Move app, a gamified activity-tracking app that allows individuals to track fundraising progress and health activities such as steps walked on a live leaderboard.
Those interested can register at www.carrytheload.org, and all participants are encouraged to register and download the Good Move app.
May 12, 2024
National relay honors fallen service members, heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country
By: Tony Cabrera
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A national relay honors fallen service members: heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Across the US, veterans and others are hitting the road this month to take part in this meaningful event.
Carry The Load is a nationwide march leading up to Memorial Day involving teams that will walk a combined 20,000 miles, stopping at VA cemeteries that lie in between.
"You don't think that events like this are gonna move you like they do especially being in this place, and then you see the names and then you realize that so many lives have sacrificed for the sake of our freedoms and it just tears you up almost," said event participant Janeen Braham.
The march is put on by the Department of Veterans Affairs in an effort to honor fallen service members, bringing out veterans, supporters, their friends and families.
"I lost my brother and I wanted to find a way to give back, find resources not only for those that don't have them but for me personally," said Jimmy Carnes, representing event organizers.
Two of the stops are in Southern California, including the LA National Cemetery, where several hundred people gathered with flags and banners.
"My dad was in Vietnam, and I miss him immensely. His best friend Tommy Gunn who also was in Vietnam and I miss him as well, and a young man named Drew Coler who is a year younger than my own son, 27, who took his own life about a year and a half ago," said Cherilyn Bulger.
Several teams will help keep the march going from here to the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in Downtown LA and all the way to Dallas, Texas for a final rally.
"It's just nice to see a sense of patriotism and I'm honored to be a part of it," said Brock Lynch.
"It's just so important to show up and acknowledge the sacrifices that have been made as a community here in Los Angeles," said Julie de la Cerda.
A reminder of the true meaning of the upcoming holiday.
Also seen in: US Times Mirror
May 12, 2024
‘Carry The Load’ Relay makes stop in Lexington
By: Carlee Hogsten
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - A national relay walk came through Lexington today to honor the nation’s heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Walking miles with a flag pole in hand is something most people don’t do on their Sunday. For Chapel Tinus, it’s something she does to help honor fallen heroes.
“Everybody has a story and so it’s honestly a huge honor to carry on the legacy of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Tinius, Carry The Load Returning Participant.
The program is called Carry The Load, where hundreds of veterans, public servants and families join together to walk across the country in a month-long relay. As a granddaughter of two World War 2 Veterans, Tinus says she knows what impact this has on families and the community.
“We’ve gotten to watch so many people use this as a healing process when they’ve lost someone,” Tinius said.
The walks are a way to raise funds for other non-profits that serve current veterans and first responders. Team Member Christian Williams says they also write names down of one’s who have fallen.
“We are told when we begin this, we have two deaths. The first time is when we physically leave this earth and the second is when people stop saying our name,” Williams said. “What we strive to do is make sure that no hero dies that second death.”
Carry The Load honors fallen veterans and military but also police officers and firefighters like Lexington Fire Department’s Chuck Williams. His last call was on February 17, 1997, where he died fighting a house fire that was deliberately set. Lexington Firefighter Mike Kamphake says that when the community gathers to honor fallen heroes like firefighter Williams, the fire department feels supported.
“There are people who have paid an ultimate price. That’s a legacy and we have to live up to their standards,” Kamphake said. “We are constantly working to take care of each other and this shows that they do care.”
May 12, 2024
Carry The Load Honors Fallen Heroes
By: Alex Barber
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Carry The Load is a national non-profit that travels through 48 states to host walks. Sunday morning, they stopped to march their way through Lexington. The organization passed on its mission of helping honor fallen military and first responders.
The walk is a reminder for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. It's what 10-year Navy veteran Jason Ash wants everyone to remember as Memorial Day approaches. "Whether it's just a few minutes or part of the day to take time to reflect," said Ash, "On those that aren't with us anymore because they did what it took to protect our liberties."
The walk provides a sense of healing for those who have served and have been struggling with everyday life. "Reconnect with other people that have shared experiences," said Ash. "It offers a way to help heal and be able to move on and to give back some of that life that you may not have anymore."
A struggle that Air Force Reserve Drew DeLeon understands as he sees the bond built beyond the walks. "You may come across someone that didn't know they needed that kind of help," said Deleon, "After walking a couple of miles and getting to know each other better, they're willing to open up a little more and in that short span, you create a bond that may last a lifetime."
Carry The Load is not just for those who are serving or have served in the military, but for everyone. It's an opportunity to show appreciation for all our heroes. DeLeon sees the support that makes it feel like his time spent serving was worthwhile. Each step taken, is a time to reflect, heal, and remember those who have fallen. "They believe that we were worth it," said DeLeon. "So it is up to us to prove that they we are worth it every day."
The non-profit stops in Kentucky annually. The next walk will happen in Louisville, this Friday, and the entire journey ends in Texas on Memorial Day, May 27. For more information on the Carry The Load non-profit visit their website www.CarrytheLoad.org.