In the News Archives - Page 7 of 85

September 9, 2024

Discover How the VA’s Day of Service Honors America’s Heroes in Unique Ways

The Suffolk Times

By: Maryann Pugh

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced an upcoming series of National Day of Service and Remembrance events scheduled for September 11, to be held at VA national cemeteries across 34 states and Puerto Rico. These events are designed to honor the sacrifice and service of Veterans, military personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, and the years that followed.

This year marks the sixth consecutive collaboration between the VA’s National Cemetery Administration and the organization Carry the Load, with additional support from AmeriCorps. Volunteers participating in these events will engage in activities such as cleaning headstones and conducting beautification projects at VA national cemeteries.

Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters emphasized the importance of these events, stating, “Our acts of volunteer service at cemeteries across the country tell these heroes that we have not forgotten their bravery and all they sacrificed for the country.”

Additionally, this year’s initiative extends to Erie Cemetery in Erie, Pennsylvania, where over 7,000 Veterans, including those from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War, are interred. This effort is part of the National Cemetery Administration’s Restoration Initiative, which aims to preserve the gravesites of Veterans in historical private cemeteries.

These commemorative events serve as a poignant reminder of the nation’s gratitude and the enduring legacy of those who served. The VA encourages public participation to honor these heroes by engaging in these meaningful acts of service.

September 9, 2024

Public invited to volunteer at Jefferson Barracks for Patriot Day

KSDK NBC 5

By: Anne Stegen

ST. LOUIS — The public was invited to volunteer at the national cemetery Wednesday to beautify the grounds in remembrance of 9/11, Patriot Day.

The volunteer work involves cleaning headstones at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 2900 Sheridan Road. The event starts at 9:30 a.m.

People who were interested in helping were asked to dress for the weather in casual, but respectful attire. Participants should not wear open toed shoes or tank tops.

Pets were not welcome for this event. Participants under the age of 14 must be with an adult.

Patriot Day is on Sept. 11 each year and honors those killed in the terror attacks on the United States on that date in 2001.

The organization "Carry The Load" organized a national day of service and remembrance on Patriot Day at national cemeteries across the country.

September 9, 2024

More than 1,000 volunteers clean up national cemetery for 9/11 Day of Service

KIAH CW 39 Houston

By: Seth Kovar

HOUSTON (KIAH) It’s the final resting place for thousands of American service members, and it was the site over the weekend of an event filled with respect for them.

With the twenty-third anniversary of the September Eleventh terrorist attacks coming on Wednesday, on Saturday, more than a thousand volunteers took part in a cleanup of Houston National Cemetery.

For the fourth year now, Just Serve, an organization within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, organized the event called 911 Day of Service.

Volunteers from the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods, the American Red Cross, Carry the Load, and other organizations joined Just Serve in removing any trash from the sacred grounds and washing every headstone that needed a good scrubbing.

There was also a patriotic and somber ceremony with a choir singing the National Anthem and speeches.

“It was so powerful being able to sit and look out on all of the volunteers who have come on their Saturday morning to not only serve by beautifying these grounds but to pay respects and honor those who serve us,” 911 Day of Service Co-Director Maren Will said.

View the full story here.

September 7, 2024

Thousands gather at Houston National Cemetary in remembrance of 9/11

KHOU 11

September 6, 2024

Upcoming Events for Patriot Day in Sarasota

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

September 6, 2024

Where to find 9/11 observances in the Inland Empire

The Sun

September 6, 2024

Upcoming National Day of Service and Remembrance Sept 11

Mississippi Valley Publishing Post

September 5, 2024

Volunteers sought for Patriot Day observance: Carry The Load to host community project

Salisbury Post

August 16, 2024

NCA Partners with Carry The Load for National Day of Service

Erie News Now

May 30, 2024

Fort Cavazos hosts Carry The Load event

The United States Army

By: Ayumi Davis

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — Remembering all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in protection of the nation is the load that those who live on carry. Fort Cavazos recognized Carry The Load, a nonprofit organization that goes above and beyond to honor the fallen, in a ceremony May 23 at the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment at the installation.

Carry The Load was founded in 2011 by two Navy special operations forces Sailors, or SEALs, who were compelled to honor their fellow Sailors they lost while on active duty. The organization conducts a month-long tribute for fallen military members and first responders in May, with five different groups walking five routes across America — the West Coast, Mountain States, Midwest, New England and East Coast — that all come together to meet in Dallas for the two-day Memorial March.

“We cover all 48 continental states and about 20,000 miles combined,” said Hunter Lovelace, assistant relay manager and media liaison for the West Coast.

Discovering Carry the Load was life-changing, Lovelace said.

“My first day on the Midwest route, we had five Gold Star Families … and speaking to those families just immediately put an imprint on me and put the exclamation point on why we are out here,” Lovelace explained.

Air Force veteran and former Dallas Police Department officer Miguel Sarmiento carries a backpack while walking with Carry The Load, but said it’s not about the physical weight he carries.

“I’ve got a ruck, but to me the ruck is symbolic because Carry The Load is more than just how much weight you have, it’s who you’re carrying for,” Sarmiento said. “And, a lot of times, that’s even heavier than a 30-pound ruck.”

Along with the name and information of his nephew, Army Spc. Thomas Garces, who died while on deployment to Iraq in 2004 with the Texas National Guard; Senior Cpl. Norman Smith, a fellow fallen DPD officer, and Jonah Hernandez, a fallen Las Cruces Police Department officer, Sarmiento wears death statistics of police officers on his backpacks for people to see and to “carry the load.”

“… I want to make sure nobody forgets so I carry their names,” Sarmiento said, “and I carry as many people as I can on my backpack.”

The West Coast group stopped by Fort Cavazos, where the Great Place took the time to thank them for their efforts and dedication. The ceremony included an invocation from retired Maj. Gen. Robert L. Halverson, words from guest presenter retired Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk I and a playing of the national anthem and other music by retired Sgt. Maj. Morris Hickman and retired Staff Sgt. Carl Hutchens.

“It’s an absolute honor to be here today and participate in this (ceremony),” said Command Sgt. Maj. Calvin Hall, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos command sergeant major. “I would like to personally thank the Carry The Load organization for celebrating and honoring the sacrifices made by our nation’s military, law enforcement, fire fighters, rescue personnel and, most importantly, their families.”

“The two-day rally in Dallas celebrates our nation’s heroes, remembers our fallen but, most importantly, unites us as a community committed to a common purpose: to never forget — to never forget those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Hall added. “Thank you again for your support and allowing Fort Cavazos and the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment team to be a part of this meaningful event. Never quit, never forget, always remember.

Colton Morrow, an ambassador for Carry The Load, thanked Fort Cavazos for hosting the West Coast group.

“You don’t do it for the buzz,” Morrow said. “You don’t do it to say, ‘Yay, us.’ We do it for the ones who never came home. One of the hardest things to hear is ‘on behalf of a grateful nation.’ We owe it to them and their families to show up and say thank you and never let these people be forgotten.”

The ceremony was followed by lunch and refreshments provided by a local chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, who also escorted the West Coast group’s travel bus onto the installation.

“This is the least we can do,” said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bruce McMillan, senior road captain for CVMA Chapter 23-5. “For us being veterans this is our … wind therapy. It lets us feel free and, also, to honor what we’re doing so anything that has to with veterans and first responders, this is something that we do naturally.”

For more information on Carry The Load, go to https://www.carrytheload.org/.

In the News

The Suffolk Times

KSDK NBC 5

KIAH CW 39 Houston

KHOU 11

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The Sun

Mississippi Valley Publishing Post

Salisbury Post

Erie News Now

The United States Army

Address

Links

Social