In the News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — They are traveling thousands of miles with the names and faces of fallen heroes on their backs.

Active and retired military members and first responders are on a mission, traveling across the country and honoring those who have died in the line of duty or taken too soon. It’s called “Carry the Load,” and on their way to Dallas, one group made a stop in Louisville.

“The least I can do for all these folks is donate my time too,” Miguel Sarmiento told Spectrum News 1 during a stop at Cave Hill National Cemetery.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Carry the Load National Relay stopped in Wichita on Friday, just two days before Memorial Day.

Carry the Load is a nonprofit that started in 2011 with a mission to restore the true meaning of the holiday. It provides active ways for Americans to connect to the sacrifices made by the military, veterans and first responders.

“We want to keep their memories alive for those that have paid the ultimate price with their life, if they’ve made that sacrifice and even for those that serve every day or maybe have retired or are no longer in service but also their family members,” said Michael Williamson, a cyclist on the route.

HAILEY, IDAHO - Memorial Day is being turned into Memorial May, a month-long celebration for those in the Armed Forces who have sacrificed their lives to serve the United States, as well as for first responders.

DALLAS - Carry The Load, a Dallas-based non-profit that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of our military, veterans, first responders and their families, will host its 12th Annual Dallas Memorial March at Reverchon Park in Dallas on Sunday, May 28 at noon and continuing through the night until Monday, May 29 at 1:30 p.m. It is a culmination of a 20,000-mile National Relay that covers 48 states in 32 days as a part of Carry The Load’s Memorial May Awareness Program.

DALLAS — For a dozen years now, the volunteers and ambassadors of Carry The Load have taken their Memorial Day message on the road.

And, as those five teams inch closer on their journeys to Dallas, they say their motivation to spread that message remains as strong as ever.

The 2023 Carry The Load National Relay, with five routes in all, covers an estimated 20,000 miles, reaching 48 states in 32 days. The West Coast Route began in Seattle. The East Coast Route began in West Point, New York. The New England Route began in Burlington, Vermont. A Midwest Route started in Minneapolis. And the Mountain States Route started in Minot, North Dakota.

TOPEKA (KSNT) — For more than a decade, one nonprofit has been on a mission to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Carry the Load is a national relay that spans across 20,000 miles. It moved through Topeka on Thursday. The initiative aims to honor and remember individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.

27 News had the opportunity to speak with Jason Ash, a veteran and team member. He said they believe it’s crucial for people to remember our fallen heroes.

DALLAS - WFAA hosts a phone bank for Carry The Load. Thousands of people are making their way to North Texas in honor of servicemembers and first responders who gave their lives in greater service.

TEMPLE, TEXAS - Carry The Load - a nonprofit that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of the active-duty military, veterans, first responders and their families - made a stop at Fort Cavazos on Thursday.

TEXARKANA, Texas (KSLA) - Carry The Load is a national nonprofit organization that will be walking through the ArkLaTex in route to Dallas.

The Memorial Day walk started over ten years ago for veterans who felt like the nation had forgotten the meaning of Memorial Day.

“My job is to walk and talk with them (families of veterans) and make them know they are not the only one who is carrying them. We want to give them a little closure and realize they are not alone,” said spokesperson Xaki Mohamed.

TEXARKANA, Ark. -- Each stage of a 22-mile walk Thursday through Texarkana was a step toward returning meaning to Memorial Day, Carry The Load participants said.

The eight-person relay team that passed through the area is part of the New England Route, which started May 3 at Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vermont. The group's trek includes several stops and public participation on the 3,700-mile journey to Dallas for a Memorial Day meetup with participants tracing four other routes around the country.