May 16, 2025

Carry the Load set to host three events in Pensacola

Fox 10

Every May, people across the country pause to remember the men and women who died while serving our country. Veteran’s Memorial Park in Pensacola serves as a constant reminder of those sacrifices. One of the main pieces of the park is a replica of the National Vietnam Memorial which means a lot to veterans in our area including Operations Director Stan Barnard who served four years in the marine corps.

“Having the wall here also helps many many veterans deal with some of the things they go through,” said Operations Director Stan Barnard. “We will have friends that served with people over there that will come around that time of year and sit all night with a name on the wall. It’s a war I served in as well.”

The park also has monuments for other battles in American history like the Korean War and both world wars to name a few. This makes it a perfect stop on the Carry the Load remembrance walk. For over a decade, the nonprofit has held the walks to bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day. Paying respects to those paid the ultimate price.

“It’s always nice to get to somewhere such as this park to commemorate with your friends and such and look at these memorials and what they represent to all our veterans who serve,” said Barnard.

Carry the Load will be making its way through Pensacola on Tuesday with Veteran’s Memorial Park serving as the second of three stops throughout the city. The goal of these events is to bring the community together to remember those who served and share stories of service and sacrifice.

“If they come down here and walk with them to take a few minutes and walk the park and read some of the stuff that’s in this park and learn from it because a lot of people aren’t really aware of the sacrifice that our nation has contributed to wars and the outcome of it and the loss of all the sons and daughters for this nation,” said Barnard.

Some will be walking in honor of a loved one. But whether you walk all day or just a mile, Barnard hopes as many people get involved as possible.

“I hope that people will reach out to them and walk with them on their adventure,” added Barnard. “They put the effort to come here so we should join in with them.”

Carry the Load will host three different events in Pensacola at Home Depot on North Davis Highway at 7:30 am, Veterans Memorial Park at 10:00 am, and Blue Wahoos Stadium at 11:00 am. For more information you can visit their website here.

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Carry the Load set to host three events in Pensacola

Fox 10

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