Memorial Day Archives - Carry The Load

November 12, 2025

North Texas mom and Army veteran surprised with free HVAC system

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Connection Newspapers) - More than 200 volunteers turned out Sept. 11 at Alexandria National Cemetery to participate in a National Day of Service to honor and remember the nation’s heroes on the anniversary of those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The volunteers worked in partnership with VFW Post 609 and Carry the Load, a Veterans Service organization, to clean the more than 4,000 headstones located in the cemetery.

“The setting of this gathering, this somber yet beautiful and inspirational cemetery, is a reminder of the valor of Americans who put the needs of the nation before their own,” said Ted Graham, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Reserve Integration. “All around us are the graves of service members who fought in defense of our nation's union during the Civil War. More than 130 years later, on Sept. 11, 2001, and in its aftermath, the nation found in ordinary men and women the spirit of uncommon courage.”

In addition to Graham, the event included remarks by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration representative Christina Welch and representatives of Carry the Load and VFW Post 609.

“Every year, Americans are asked to treat this day as an opportunity to do some sort of national public service,” said Col. Gerry Krueger, Commander of VFW Post 609. “Our way of doing that is to join with Carry the Load and the U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs to honor several thousand military veterans who have served our country honorably. We do this by cleaning their tombstones, saying their names out loud, and saluting them, to assure them their service to our country is not forgotten.”

Alexandria National Cemetery is one of the original national cemeteries founded by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The historic nature of the headstones means that only a sponge and water are used to clean the headstones so as to not cause any damage.

Carry the Load partnered with volunteers to help clean headstones and beautify more than 60 Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries across the nation. In Alexandria, all 4,229 headstones were cleaned as part of the efforts.

“We’re here to honor those who served our country and show that America continues to give back,” said Peace Corps CFO Paul Shea.

In addition to the Peace Corps, which had offices in the Twin Towers when the attacks occurred, volunteers included teams from Americorps and Actalent Engineering.

“This has become a tradition for our company,” said Actalent volunteer Zach Sells, who cleaned headstones alongside his 4-year-old daughter Ada.

The event is co-sponsored by the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration with local VFW Post 609 serving as host. VFW Post 609 Life Member Danielle Applebee is the region's Carry the Load Ambassador and coordinated and led the day of service.

“Every day I'm impressed to see the patriotism of young men and women who continue to serve throughout the nation,” Graham said. “Regardless of how we serve, Americans continue to give back. I want to thank you all for your choice to serve here today on these hallowed grounds as we remember Sept. 11, 2001.”

September 12, 2025

Volunteers clean up Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary as part of Patriot Day event

The Advocate

ZACHARY, La. (The Advocate) - Volunteer Crystal Honore carried a bucket of pulled weeds with her from tree to tree during the Carry The Load Patriot Day event at Louisiana National Cemetery on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Honore was joined by volunteers taking part in the Carry The Load event.

In honor of Patriot Day, volunteers gathered at the Zachary cemetery to help clean headstones and beautify the grounds.

The effort is part of Carry the Load's annual nationwide Patriot Day event. Thousands of volunteers participated at nearly 70 national cemeteries across the U.S.

The nonprofit hosts volunteer events each Memorial Day, Patriot Day and Veterans Day as a way to provide active ways to honor and remember the nation’s heroes by connecting Americans to the sacrifices made by military and first responder communities, a news release said.

September 12, 2025

Volunteers clean tombstones in memory of servicemen and women on 9/11

CBS 8

By: Jane Kim

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Ginny Lozano is cleaning, scrubbing, and wiping down tombstone after tombstone.

"I'm trying to get everything off, but unfortunately, some of the things just don't come off; they need a little bit, I guess, something other than just a brush," said Lozano.

All this to honor military servicemen and women at Miramar National Cemetery.

"I kind of pray over every one of them and just thank them for their service," said Lozano.

This is a special place for Ginny. Her mom, who previously served in the army in Texas, is also buried at this cemetery.

Ginny isn't cleaning her mom's tombstone today, but she's still taking time to volunteer.

"Carry the Load" organized this cleanup effort.

It's a national nonprofit that provides funds for first responders and military nonprofits.

The organization mobilized 5,000 volunteers across the country to clean headstones in 68 national cemeteries, marking 24 years since the 9/11 attacks.

"The cleaning of the headstone is just symbolic of remembrance and respect and honor," said Alan Wood, an ambassador for "Carry the Load." "9/11 is a day we all remember, we all think about. And this is just a good place to connect with each other and do some service."

Here in San Diego, Lozano's not the only one spending her Thursday cleaning.

"Out here at Miramar, we have about 100 volunteers and just letting everybody connect, share stories, do a little service, and honor and remember those that can be here," said Wood.

As for Lozano, spending her afternoon at Miramar National Cemetery is a no-brainer.

"We're doing the very the bare minimum of just scrubbing tombstones, and these people sacrificed their lives for us," said Lozano.

September 12, 2025

Honoring 9/11 | Volunteers clean headstones in tribute to fallen heroes

CBS 8

September 12, 2025

Guardsman who served on 9/11 among volunteers caring for fallen heroes’ headstones

KCTV

By: Julia Scammahorn and Alex Love

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (KCTV) - Dozens of volunteers honored those lost more than two decades ago on 9/11/2001 at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

They spent hours rolling up their sleeves to scrub the headstones of soldiers and veterans who died serving their country.

Cemetery Director Omil Carrasquillo remembers his time in service, a National Guardsman called to duty on 9/11/2001.

Watch the story here.

September 12, 2025

9/11 Patriot Day: Volunteers nationwide clean headstones to honor fallen heroes

YouTube

September 12, 2025

Volunteers honor 9/11 heroes by cleaning veteran cemetery headstones in Laurel

Newsbreak

By: Vanessa Willardson

BILLINGS, Mont. (Newsbreak) — Two volunteers braved the stormy weather to honor 9/11 heroes by scrubbing veteran headstones at a Laurel cemetery.

Nonprofit organization Carry the Load arranged the service project with nearly 70 cemeteries nationwide, including the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel.

Volunteers honor 9/11 heroes through cleaning Laurel veteran cemetery headstones

“Weather, it doesn't matter. You've got to get out and do what you have to do,” said Gene Lemmon, who volunteered with his wife, Catherine Lemmon.

“A lot of people are buried in the National Cemetery that have fought for our freedoms as well as all those that lost their lives on that day that needed to be recognized and will need to be recognized every year,” said Catherine.

Congress established Patriot Day in 2001 to serve as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Since then, people have gathered to honor the 9/11 attacks' nearly 3,000 victims, survivors and heroes at places such as cemeteries.

“This was a very significant part of American history to have this happen, and the lives that were lost, the events that occurred thereafter through the military. And that's why we're here at this veterans cemetery,” added cemetery director Stephen McCollum.

The Lemmons are not only remembering the first responders and veterans who served in the wake of the 2001 attacks. They are also honoring first responders and those serving in the military currently.

“We currently have two Marines serving, our oldest son and our youngest daughter,” said Catherine.

The Lemmons have traveled across the country in their camper for three years, starting in Virginia. They have visited several national cemeteries in that time.

“We travel full-time, and we go to most of the national cemeteries we can get to. We've seen some wonderful cemeteries. I highly recommend anybody volunteering their time,” said Gene.

“We were just glad that we could come out and help serve and pay tribute and respect to those that have fallen before us,” said Catherine.

September 12, 2025

Volunteers spend Patriot Day cleaning headstones at Quincy National Cemetery

Muddy River News

By: Michele McCormack

QUINCY, Ill. (Newsbreak) — It was around ten in the morning, and the grass was still wet with dew and glistening in the sunlight.

Sounds of traffic could be heard in the background, with a mix of chirping of birds and the sounds of gentle scrubbing.

About a dozen volunteers spent their morning gently brushing veteran headstones at the Quincy National Cemetery, 3701 Maine Street.

Some were on their knees. At first, it looked like they were praying. Until you looked closer and saw the brush in their hands and the buckets at the sides.

“It’s an honor,” Bobette Cawthon of Quincy told Muddy River News. “This is my first time doing this. We are only using water and a soft-bristle brush. We are cleaning every stone, scrubbing it down. These people gave their lives for us, and freedom is something that, in America, we all can appreciate. If it wasn’t for the people here, we wouldn’t have that right.”

Cawthon was part of a group of volunteers representing the Capital Area Association of Realtors, or CAAR.

Although it was a mix of folks who answered the call.

Another group from Home Depot saw a social media post for help and brought some extra pairs of hands and plenty of buckets.

“A big part of our values is giving back,” Gary O’Dell from Home Depot explained. “It’s the least we can do to come out here and honor the fallen soldiers on this day of remembrance, Patriot Day for 9/11. It’s a day we really like to honor and serve our veterans in the community.”

The cleaning started several years ago, with just a couple of volunteers. The number of folks who turn out can ebb and flow through the years.

One of the main organizers is Vietnam Veteran and former Administrator of the Illinois Veterans Home, Ron Frillman, who now serves as a veteran issues coordinator for Congresswoman Mary Miller.

“It’s paying respect to my brothers and sisters who are out here,” he said as he touched his hand to his heart. “I wish the community would be more involved. The flag that flies here represents all the people who sacrificed for the freedoms we have today.”

In December, they will lay wreaths at the headstones through the Wreaths Across America project. It has its own website for people who would be interested in lending their support.

“It’s the least we can do to honor our freedom,” Frillman added. A common refrain among the volunteers who endured an early surge of heat to get their work done by the time the American Legion served up a lunch as a thank you.

Frillman also credits the non-profit “Carry the Load” for organizing the headstone clean-up. The supplies are provided, and there is a supervisor on hand to give instructions about how to clean without damaging the stone.

Realtor Jeremy Farlow answered the request from the Commander of American Legion Post 37, Barbara Fletcher, and pointed out how it’s a wide variety of people who came out to start their Patriot Day this way, with a singular gesture of humble service through cleaning.

“Realtors, bankers, we’re just cleaning the stones the best we can. Just keep them looking nice. I enjoy helping. I didn’t have anything else to do this morning that was more important. It makes you think a lot about the people who have gone before us and what they sacrificed.”

Congress established Patriot Day in December 2001 to serve as a day of remembrance to honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks in New York, The Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the passengers aboard United Flight 93 who fought back against the Al-Qaeda linked hijackers and crashed the plane during a struggle in Shanksville, PA. It also recognizes the heroism of the first responders and survivors.

Each year, there is a Presidential Proclamation, which assigns Patriot Day as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, which calls for civic ceremonies and flags to be flown at half-staff.

Watch the story here.

September 12, 2025

‘We just want to do our part:’ Volunteers honor veterans on Day of Service

Newsbreak

By: Karen Kistler

SALISBURY, N.C. (Newsbreak) — Volunteers gathered at the Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, to participate in the Carry The Load event on Patriot Day, Sept. 11.

In a release, it shared that the mission of Carry the Load, a national non-profit veteran and first responder service organization, is to provide ways to honor and remember our nation’s heroes.”

The 20-plus volunteers, some coming as groups representing various companies locally and from other cities, and some who came as individuals wanting to help, gathered at the cemetery where they would be working. David Beaver, assistant director at the Salisbury National Cemetery, said getting together on this day, “I can’t think of any way to better remember Sept. 11 than to do some service.”

And, he added, while it wasn’t a “veteran-centric event, Sept. 11 is a good place to remember” as those in the cemetery sacrificed and that service is what they have in common.

Prior to starting their jobs, Beaver shared a little history of the cemetery and said there are approximately 31,000 burials and they continue to grow with plans to expand, which would help carry them for another 50-60 years.

He told them to keep in mind that not everyone that was buried there had been in combat, but they had served in multiple ways including as support, cooks, transporters.

“There’s a thousand different ways that people served,” said Beaver, “and we kind of represent them all here.”

Washing headstones was one of the service jobs that most of the volunteers tackled, while others did something new this year. This group went with Roderick Morrison, caretaker at the cemetery, to work on straightening some of the headstones.

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