KENNEWICK, Wash. — A nationwide initiative honoring the military, veterans, first responders and their families is making its way through the Tri-Cities.

This initiative was started ten years ago by the co-founder in Dallas.

“He was at a barbecue and realized that people were having fun but weren’t representing the true meaning of Memorial Day. So he threw some pounds in his backpack and started walking to remember those guys, and along that route, he was stopped by a Vietnam veteran that said, ‘Son who are you carrying?’ and from there Carry the Load was born,” said Digital Content Manager, Matthew Reid.