Patriot Day Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Carry The Load

September 11, 2024

Yellowstone County remembers and honors those lost during 9/11 terrorist attacks

KTVQ Montana

By: Mack Carmack

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY — Patriot Day is one that many Americans look at with emotion and significance. That's why on Wednesday, Montanans came together across the state to commemorate and remember those who were lost 23 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

Wednesday morning, at exactly 8:46 am, was an emotional time for many veterans, first responders, and American citizens. That moment marked the time the first jet hit the World Trade Center 23 years ago.

"After 23 years, there's a temptation to forget what happened on 9/11, and we can never forget," said Bill Cole, the mayor of Billings.

Cole led the community in a remembrance ceremony at MSU Billings City College's 9/11 memorial, with the goal of inspiring future first responders and veterans.

"It's a slender thread by which our life hangs, and I hope we appreciate every day," he said.

Twelve miles west, Yellowstone National Cemetery Manager Stephen McCollum and volunteers of Carry the Load spent the day cleaning veterans' tombstones.

Carry the Load is a nonprofit organization that cleans cemeteries twice a year, including once on 9/11.

"I think it's important to remember and serve our fallen heroes who have served our country," says volunteer Aiden Lentz.

It was a significant moment for volunteers and veterans alike. One of the volunteers Wednesday was a former Army soldier, Adam Somers

"9/11 was actually the reason I joined the Army, and so it's actually a little bit sentimental for me to come out here and volunteer with groups like this," Somers said.

"It's somewhat the same as every other day. You take care of the families. You take care of the veterans. You make sure that they are properly thought of and remembered," says manager McCollum.

"It's just a different feeling coming out here and seeing all of the tombstones of all the folks that have been here, even since WWI, that are buried, and to see all of the multi-generational differences, and different services that they served under. It's all a different feeling on a day like today," says Somers.

Although Sept. 11 is remembered as a dark day in American history, there was some brightness in the community's collaboration.

View the full story here.

September 11, 2024

Volunteers make great difference at Ft. Sill National Cemetery during ‘Carry the Load Day’

KSWO ABC 7 News Lawton

By: Justin Stevens and Carolina Lozano

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY — Patriot Day is one that many Americans look at with emotion and significance. That's why on Wednesday, Montanans came together across the state to commemorate and remember those who were lost 23 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

Wednesday morning, at exactly 8:46 am, was an emotional time for many veterans, first responders, and American citizens. That moment marked the time the first jet hit the World Trade Center 23 years ago.

"After 23 years, there's a temptation to forget what happened on 9/11, and we can never forget," said Bill Cole, the mayor of Billings.

Cole led the community in a remembrance ceremony at MSU Billings City College's 9/11 memorial, with the goal of inspiring future first responders and veterans.

"It's a slender thread by which our life hangs, and I hope we appreciate every day," he said.

Twelve miles west, Yellowstone National Cemetery Manager Stephen McCollum and volunteers of Carry the Load spent the day cleaning veterans' tombstones.

Carry the Load is a nonprofit organization that cleans cemeteries twice a year, including once on 9/11.

"I think it's important to remember and serve our fallen heroes who have served our country," says volunteer Aiden Lentz.

It was a significant moment for volunteers and veterans alike. One of the volunteers Wednesday was a former Army soldier, Adam Somers

"9/11 was actually the reason I joined the Army, and so it's actually a little bit sentimental for me to come out here and volunteer with groups like this," Somers said.

"It's somewhat the same as every other day. You take care of the families. You take care of the veterans. You make sure that they are properly thought of and remembered," says manager McCollum.

"It's just a different feeling coming out here and seeing all of the tombstones of all the folks that have been here, even since WWI, that are buried, and to see all of the multi-generational differences, and different services that they served under. It's all a different feeling on a day like today," says Somers.

Although Sept. 11 is remembered as a dark day in American history, there was some brightness in the community's collaboration.

View the full story here.

September 11, 2024

Remembering 9/11: Volunteers clean veterans’ headstones, honor sacrifices

KFOX 14 El Paso

By: Mark Baugh

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Over 1,000 volunteers across the country are cleaning the headstones of fallen soldiers for the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

The volunteers are working with Carry The Load, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring those who have sacrificed for the many. While the headstones are for veterans, the gesture is to honor anyone who has sacrificed.

El Pasoans volunteered to clean the headstones at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

The beautification will be happening on Patriot's Day, which commemorates those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Stephen Holley, co-founder, president, and CEO of Carry The Load and Veteran U.S. Navy SEAL, said, “On Patriot Day, we encourage Americans to honor the memory of 9/11 by serving in their communities and sharing stories of the first responders and military who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe.”

Since 2019, thousands of people have volunteered for events hosted by the organization for Patriot Day.

According to Michael Flowers, Carry The Load Ambassador and Marine Veteran,“Volunteering with Carry The Load on Patriot Day helps bring back that feeling of service and is a special way to remember those who sacrificed their lives due to the tragic events of 9/11.”

Visit Carry The Load’s website to find event information, participating locations, and to register as a volunteer: www.carrytheload.org/patriot-day-national-day-of-service/

View the full story here.

September 11, 2024

Hundreds of volunteers beautify DFW National Cemetery to mark 9/11 anniversary

NBC 5 DFW

By: Alanna Quillen

On Wednesday, hundreds of volunteers gave back to fallen heroes at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The efforts were part of Patriot Day, a nationally recognized day of service to mark the 9/11 anniversary.

Volunteers spread out across the more than 600-acre cemetery, hand-scrubbing thousands of headstones and beautifying the hallowed grounds.

The nonprofit Carry the Load organized the event, which aimed to restore the true meaning of veteran holidays like Memorial Day, and hosted events to connect the public with outreach benefitting veterans and their families.

For many, it was a fulfilling way to observe such a dark moment in our country's history.

“On Patriot Day, we encourage Americans to honor the memory of 9/11 by serving in their communities and sharing stories of the first responders and military who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” said Stephen Holley, co-founder, president, and CEO of Carry The Load and Veteran U.S. Navy SEAL.

Organizers said that as time goes on, there will be more younger generations who didn't experience 9/11, and these service efforts will create teachable moments for them.

"I have three young daughters, all born after Sept. 11. And for me, I was in the Marine Corps on Sept. 11 at the station in Virginia. So I was directly, kind of, involved as that day, as it unfolded and tragically lost so many lives,” said Judd Word, a Dallas firefighter and Carry the Load ambassador. “It's very important to make sure that we're continuing to educate the younger generation, make sure that they know what happened and understand why it's so important to remember this day."

View the full story here.

September 11, 2024

Volunteers with Carry The Load scrub headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver

Denver Gazette

September 11, 2024

Never forget: Chattanooga National Cemetery honors fallen heroes with headstone cleanup

News Channel 9 Chattanooga

By: Fallon Howard

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The attacks on September 11th, 2001 were four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001. And people all across the world today are honoring the fallen heroes.

National non-profit director Matt Fryman of Carry the Load focuses on one aspect and says, "Freedom's not free."

"I would say that freedom's not free. I think that day is a great example of, you know, we get to live in a country that that's not the norm, right? It's not normal to have something like that happen to where lives are lost from a different country, a different entity, whatever that may be; that's a normal day in Iraq to where lives are lost every day, said Matt Fryman, Carry the Load's Marketing Director "

Matt Fryman says that 9/11 has humbled him and given him a deeper understanding after his own personal experience with family in the military. He also adds that being able to talk with family members who have lost someone puts a face to a name.

"I did not truly understand the significance because, again, it wasn't really taught in school. My father served in the Air Force, so I was able to have that recognition of it, but again, it still didn't have the impact that it should have had in my life. So being a part of carry the load opened my eyes to the sacrifice that is made, day in, day out, said Matt Fryman, Carry the Load's Marketing Director "

In observance of Patriot Day, volunteers will clean headstones and beautify hallowed grounds at 67 National Cemeteries across the nation. More than 40 have already registered at Chattanooga National Cemetery, and 2,000 nationwide.

View the full story here.

September 11, 2024

9/11 Terror Attacks: North Texans honor victims with memorials, a day of service

FOX 4 KDFW

DALLAS - People across North Texas and the country will pause to remember the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Wednesday marks 23 years since terrorists hijacked four planes and crashed them into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on that day in 2001.

Families who lost loved ones will observe a national moment of silence and read the names of the victims at a memorial service.

Several organizations in North Texas will also hold ceremonies and day of service events for what’s now known as Patriot’s Day.

Carry the Load holds day-of-service events at DFW National Cemetery

Some North Texans are choosing to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks with a day of service.

Volunteers with Carry the Load will gather at DFW National Cemetery to beautify the grounds and clean headstones.

Carry the Load is a charity that started with events around Memorial Day but has grown into a year-round effort to support veterans and first responders.

Ambassador Matt Thomas said Wednesday’s event is a somber way to remember the lives lost on Sept. 11 and those who have served our country since then

View the full story here.

September 11, 2024

Facts about 9/11 and how to mark Sept. 11, 2001 anniversary

El Paso Times

September 11, 2024

9/11 memorial events honor fallen heroes and victims

KTVI FOX 2 News

By: Nick Gladney

MANCHESTER, Mo. – It is a somber day in America, as Wednesday marks the 23rd year since the Sept. 11 attacks.

A ceremony is set to take place at Stoecker Park in Manchester at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Flags of Valor display is set up and features 412 flags, each one honoring a first responder who died in the attacks. One flag also represents those who have succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses, along with pictures of civilians who died in the attacks.

There are many other ceremonies taking place Wednesday. One of the first will be at Scott Air Force Base at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday morning. There will be speeches along with wreath-laying and bell-ringing.

9/11 has turned into a national day of service. Another event that is happening at the Enterprise Center is the Volunteer Meal Pack starting at 9 a.m.

1400 volunteers will pack more than 400,000 meals for those in need. Among those taking part in that event: St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones.

The Annual March to the Arch is also taking place again this year. That event will begin at 9:11 a.m. Wednesday morning at Mike Duffy’s restaurant on Clayton Road. The group will then make the 21-mile memorial walk to the base of the arch.

Other events include a remembrance ceremony and walk in O’Fallon, Missouri. The ceremony is set for 8:30 Wednesday morning, followed by the optional walk.

There will be a cleanup at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. That event, organized by the nonprofit group Carry the Load, will run from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

At 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, there will also be a ceremony at the Belleville Fire Department Station 4 on South Illinois Street.

View the full story here.

Also seen in Yahoo! News

September 10, 2024

Remember those lost on 9/11 at these North Fork events and commemorations

The Suffolk Times