Memorial Day Archives - Page 2 of 40

May 26, 2025

Memorial Day Walk in Humble: ‘Carry the Load’ Honors Veterans

Carry the Load Honors Fallen Police Officers and Military Personnel

Retired Dallas Police Lt. Miguel Sarmiento is continually surprised by the encounters he stumbles into as he canvasses the United States carrying the names and faces of fallen police officers and veterans on his backpack.

One came after he fastened a tag bearing the name of a Las Cruces, N.M., police officer who had been killed by a drunk driver while enroute to work a few months earlier.

“Our Carry the Load bus pulled into Las Cruces and a lady with a 6-year-old came up to me and asked me how I got that card. ‘That was my husband,’ ” she said. “She thanked me for picking it up and carrying it with me. It gave me goosebumps,” he said.

Sarmiento, a retired U.S. Air Force sergeant, was among those who pulled into Ketchum a week ago on a brightly colored bus painted with the faces of fallen heroes and the words “Carry the Load.”

The bus was one of three that set out on a journey across the United States in April headed for a big Memorial Day March in Dallas today.

With the help of Higher Ground, those on the bus joined Wood River Valley residents on a walk through Ketchum, during which marchers were supposed to think about the first responders and servicemen they were walking for.

Posters telling the stories of some of the fallen were mounted in the parking lot outside the Ketchum Fire Department in case someone could not think of someone to “carry the load” for.

“This event is unusual in that Higher Ground tailors it to young kids so they can take part, as well,” said Sarmiento.

Sarmiento got involved with the Carry the Load after two people in his police department were killed. He said it’s not about the weight in his backpack that he walks with but who he’s carrying for.

“A lot of times, that’s heavier,” he said.

Sarmiento has carried the name and information of his nephew Army Spc. Thomas Garces, who died at 19 while serving in Iraq in 2004 with the Texas National Guard. And he’s carried the name of a former co-worker at the Dallas Police Department who was killed while trying to execute an arrest warrant.

“I carry as many people as I can on my pack,” he said.

Carry the Load was started in 2011 by Veteran Navy SEALs Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley to raise awareness and encourage people to remember the sacrifices made by those in the military.

“Their mission to enlighten and engage our nation was originally held on Memorial Day. It’s gotten so big they now do Memorial May,” said Erin Rheinschild, director of Philanthropy for Higher Ground, which provides therapeutic recreation for veterans and first responders.

“We’re trying to bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day,” said Sarmiento. “We never want to forget out loved ones.”

May 26, 2025

🌱 Patch AM: 10-mile walk from Humble honors veterans

Patch

May 26, 2025

Memorial Day 2025: ‘Carry the Load’ march in Texas honors the fallen

FOX-26

May 26, 2025

Carry the Load Dallas Memorial March canceled

FOX-4

May 25, 2025

Carry the Load Dallas Memorial March canceled due to storms; Gold Star family shares their story

CBS 11 News

Storms in North Texas mean an early ending for a heartfelt salute to military heroes who died in service.Hundreds of people gathered in Dallas' Reverchon Park Sunday afternoon for the Carry the Load Dallas Memorial March, before a tough decision was made to cancel the rest of the event due to the storms forecast overnight.

"It's too frequent that you ask folks what they're doing on Memorial Day weekend, and not once do they mention we're going to honor the lives of those that thought that we were worthy of their sacrifice," said Hallie Johnston with the non-profit.

The event began in 2011, started by two former Navy SEALs in the Dallas area, and has since grown into a nationwide movement.

"It's beautiful to see that it's growing. We grow every single year here in Dallas, but also across the country and we want to make sure that the families of the fallen know that their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, family members, those in the community, that they did not die in vain," said Johnston.

Families representing every branch of the military participated in the march.

Throughout the six-mile loop were billboards paying tribute to our nation's heroes who died serving our country.

One of them belongs to Aaron Board's brother, Cody.

"Gosh, where to start with him? He was the life of the party, the life of any room he was in. He always wanted to make sure people were having fun," said Board.

Watch the full story here.

May 25, 2025

Honoring Heroes: Thousands March in Dallas for Memorial Day

Yahoo! News

The Brief

Tens of thousands gathered in Dallas for the annual Carry the Load Memorial March, a nationwide campaign to honor fallen U.S. service members.
The two-day event provides a space for participants to connect, share stories, and remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The march culminates with a silent walk at midnight and a closing ceremony at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

The Dallas Memorial March is one of the largest events for Carry the Load. Tens of thousands of people participated in numerous events across the metroplex this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day.

The event gives people a chance to connect, share stories, and remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.

The event also honors fallen first responders and has activities throughout the night for people and families.

Carry the load organizers expect around 20,000 people to participate throughout the weekend. Paying tribute and homage to those who've served in the U.S. armed forces and given their lives for our freedoms. That includes a two-day event here in Dallas called Carry The Load.

It's a nationwide campaign to provide Americans with meaningful ways to honor and remember our fallen heroes.

What they're saying

Terry Burgess and his wife Elisabeth are carrying in honor of their son, Bryan Burgess. Bryan was killed on deployment in Afghanistan, just two weeks before he was set to come home.

"And everybody here has a story, every person is carrying someone, somehow," said Terry. 44 "People carrying the names, they’re carrying the banners, you see them kissing the names and you make that connection. That lasts you a lifetime. That is beyond precious to us."

The Burgess' shared that this event will carry them forward through the rest of the year and there are so many people at the march with similar stories to share.

"It’s really easy to feel like you’re alone. But when you come out here, you realize you’re not carrying it alone, that there’s a lot of people who are going to help you carry that, and they’re going to continue to help you carry that," said Elisabeth.

Army Veteran Glen Dare

13-year army veteran Glen Dare is one of those people also carrying grief this Memorial Day. Dare first participated in March 2012 and continued to do it every year in full uniform.

"Once you do it the first time, you can start talking about those individuals, and you keep their spirit alive and that’s the most important part about this walk," said Dare. "People ask me all the time why I wear all this stuff, and it’s because it’s the uniform my friends died in."

The friends and fellow soldiers whose names are proudly displayed on Dare’s backpack.

"Here’s an opportunity to talk about these individuals, these heroes, that I get to tell their story and keep their spirit alive, because they gave everything to us. The least we can do is honor them in this way," said Dare. "Take a minute tomorrow, take just a little second, a second of your time, raise your beverage of choice and remember those folks who have fallen for us."

Dare has brought his family to the event since his kids were babies. FOX 4’s Amelia Jones spoke with Dare's now-14-year-old daughter, who shared that she's so proud of her dad and how he keeps the spirit of the fallen alive.

What's next

There is a silent walk at midnight and the closing ceremony is at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

The Source

Information in this article is provided by interviews conducted by FOX 4's Amelia Jones.

Watch the full story here.

May 25, 2025

Carry the Load cancels Memorial Day events amid chances for severe weather

WFAA

Carry The Load has canceled its signature Dallas Memorial March scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, citing severe weather and safety concerns. The nonprofit organization announced the decision Sunday afternoon via its official Facebook page.

“The Dallas Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service have informed us that there is a high confidence of strong to severe thunderstorms impacting the City of Dallas tonight,” the organization stated. “We are extremely grateful for the participants who have joined us this year in Dallas and across the country to honor our nation’s heroes.”

The annual event, which began in 2011, started Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Reverchon Park in Dallas but ended early at 8:30 p.m.

It typically features a 20-hour march along the Katy Trail, live music, food trucks, and various activities aimed at honoring military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. The Dallas Memorial March is the culmination of Carry The Load's nationwide Memorial May campaign, which includes events across the country to remember and honor fallen heroes.

Watch the full story here.

May 25, 2025

10-mile walk from Humble to Kingwood honors fallen veterans, raises mental health awareness

KPRC-TV

This Memorial Day weekend, two local veterans organized a powerful event in Humble, a 10-mile walk to Kingwood as part of the national Carry the Load campaign.

But for the people walking, this isn’t just about covering miles. It’s about honoring those who didn’t make it home and shining a light on the struggles veterans face every day after they return.

“We come home with mental and physical disabilities, depending on what we saw, depending on what we did,” said Jason Andrews, a veteran of both the U.S. Army and Coast Guard. “I actually had doctors tell me I would never walk or run again. And I’m here right now to prove that military servicemen and veterans are so strong mentally and physically that even though we’re hurting inside, we can still get through anything life hits us with.”

Andrews says the walk is about sending a message to the community, to fellow veterans, and to those quietly struggling. “You’re not alone,” he said. “There’s help. There’s a brotherhood. There’s a community that will help you get through it.”

The walk is part of Carry the Load, a national movement that started as a Memorial Day tribute but has expanded into a year-round push to raise money for programs that directly support veterans, military members, first responders, and their families.

Veterans’ hidden nattles

While many Americans focus on long weekends or barbecues, veterans across the country face daily challenges.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, about 17 veterans die by suicide each day, often after struggling with PTSD, depression, physical injuries, or the difficulty of adjusting to civilian life.

Active duty Airman Austin Man, who joined the Humble walk, says the statistics are what motivated him to participate.

“It’s just my duty,” he said. “I’m doing what others aren’t able to — just coming out, showing support. That number, 17 suicides a day, hit the hardest for me. Anything we can do to change that — that’s why I’m out here today.”

These struggles aren’t just emotional, they ripple through veterans’ families, workplaces, and communities. That’s where fundraising events like this walk come in.

Where the Money Goes

The funds raised through Carry the Load support critical programs, including:

• Suicide prevention hotlines specifically for veterans

• Counseling services to help process trauma

• Disability support and job reintegration programs

• Assistance for veterans’ families and caregivers

Forrest LaForce, a veteran and local firefighter-paramedic, says these services can make the difference between life and death.

“The veteran suicide hotline is a huge program,” he said. “I’m very grateful we have that option, especially when people need help in their most trying times. Everybody needs help here and there. When that option is available, hey, let’s take it. Let’s make sure veterans know they have support.”

Carrying the Weight, Together

The walkers carried 50-pound backpacks, symbolizing the burden veterans carry every day, not just physically, but emotionally.

“We’re carrying the burden of those that lost their lives, giving the ultimate sacrifice,” said Jonathan Guzman, a U.S. Navy veteran. “We wanted to involve the community because the brotherhood extends past the military.”

With the Texas heat bearing down, community members and even local firefighters stepped in, spraying down the group with water to cool them off and cheering them on.

“They do so much for us. I’m glad I could do something for them,” said firefighter Michael Anawati, who helped support the walkers.

How You Can Help

The walk from Humble to Kingwood is part of a larger national relay leading up to Memorial Day, designed to raise awareness and funds that go straight into these life-saving programs.

Watch the full story here.

May 25, 2025

Memorial Day

KPRC-TV

Eye on Sun Valley

Patch

FOX-26

FOX-4

CBS 11 News

Yahoo! News

WFAA

KPRC-TV

FOX 4

Address

Links

Social