Memorial Day

TEXARKANA (KSLA) - Carry the Load, a nationwide non-profit organization, is making its way through the ArkLaTex in route to Dallas.

“It’s not all mattress sales and BBQs. We walk to honor these people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. That’s our number one mission here. I could not ask for a better experience. It’s definitely emotional. Some days you are tired and you are ill, but there has not been single time I thought it was not worth it,” said Cassidy Dillard with Carry the Load.

TEXARKANA, Texas - Members of Carry the Load are walking through Texarkana Thursday to spread the message about the true meaning of Memorial Day.

"We walk to honor these people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It's our No. 1 mission. It's definitely emotional. Some days your tired and ill, but there's not been a single time when I didn't think it was worth it," said Cassidy Dillard, Carry the Load walker.

Carry The Load's Todd Boeding was interviewed on WFAA yesterday. He was able to discuss the mission and purpose of the organization, as well as the importance of getting involved. He also shared the details of the upcoming events in Dallas.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Carry the Load is making its way through Colorado Springs. The non-profit has a mission of restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day.

The team began making its way through Colorado on May 17 from Minot, North Dakota.

Members of Carry The Load walked through Hot Springs Wednesday morning as part of a 20,000-mile national relay to honor and remember America's fallen soldiers and first responders.

Its goal: “To restore the true meaning of Memorial Day,” which is part of the mission of the annual Carry the Load national relay that includes five bus- and human-powered routes throughout the United States.

"About 11 years ago ... they (said) 'We got to bring the true meaning back to Memorial Day.' They were SEAL members, they lost a lot of team members. Adam Brown is one of the team members that they lost. So they pack up, they head to West Point and from West Point they walked all the way back to Dallas ... they had a 20-hour rally," Beth Sundquist, one of the relay walkers, said.

A small group of relay participants was walking with a purpose when it passed through Aspen on Tuesday evening for their 3,900-mile journey through the Great Plains and Mountain West.

Its goal: “To restore the true meaning of Memorial Day,” which is part of the mission of the annual Carry the Load national relay that includes five bus- and human-powered routes throughout the United States.

“Memorial Day was, is and will always be about the fallen heroes,” said event organizer (and former Aspenite) Dill Driscoll, who helped create the national relay. “They gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country, for their town.”

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Volunteers are marching one foot in front of the other, continuing their 20,000-mile, cross-country journey in honor of fallen military members and first responders.

Paul Kuh from Texas is volunteering to walk after serving in the Air Force for more than two decades.

“We were established to bring back, initially, the memory of what Memorial Day’s all about,” he said. “We want to make it more than just the barbecues and the half-off sales, where those are all fine and fun, but we want to bring back the memory of what Memorial Day was, to honor the veterans that went before us. It was an honor to serve, but it is so important to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty and given their lives in defense of this country.”

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Thousands of people are taking part in a massive effort to shift the focus of Memorial Day.

Each step taken honors someone who laid down their life to protect our freedom.

“For anyone who has lost someone in service to our country, they will tell you that participating in Carry The Load has made a lasting impact on their life,” Stephen Holley, co-founder, president and CEO of Carry The Load, said. “There is nothing like the human touch. Being in that environment, walking side-by-side one another, and sharing stories demonstrates beyond words that people do care.”

For 4 miles, Longboat Key Fire Department personnel helped carry the load.

Or rather, for 4 miles, Longboat Key fire personnel helped Carry the Load, a nationwide walk organized by service members and first responders to celebrate Memorial Day. Since 2011, veterans and first responders have been organizing walks with local first responders to raise money and honor the nation’s heroes.

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) – Carry The Load will be walking through Fort Hood this Thursday and Waco this Friday as a part of its 20,000-mile national relay to honor and remember fallen military and first responders.

III Corps and Fort Hood will host the rally at 10:30 a.m. at the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment. Ten to 15 participants will rally for the color guard posting of the colors, the singing of the National Anthem and a demonstration by the horse detachment.