Veterans Day Archives - Carry The Load

November 11, 2024

WFAA Veterans Day special | Past stories of service, honor and strength in the military

Amid ceremonies, Veterans Day is also a reminder of the challenges veterans cannot face alone

NBC 5 DFW

By: Alanna Quillen

As we honor those who have served on Veterans Day on Monday, we're also turning attention to challenges that many veterans continue to face after their time in the military.

We can't celebrate without understanding the challenges that so many brave women and men have experienced during and after serving their country.

Studies show nearly one in four veterans struggle with issues like PTSD, depression, or anxiety, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

That can lead to tragic outcomes. According to the VA, nearly 600 veterans died by suicide in 2021.

Tied to that are the challenges of homelessness.

According to the VA, 35,000 veterans were homeless in the United States with about 4,000 in Texas alone, an increase from the year before.

Organizations like Dallas-based nonprofit, Carry The Load, are trying to ease the burden that many veterans feel.

Since 2011, they have funneled millions of dollars into nonprofits and programs supporting veterans and first responder causes, most notably with their Memorial Day march across the country and marquee ceremonial event in Dallas.

“Carry the Load is an active way to, what we call, restore the meaning of Memorial Day. Through those events, we raise money for these nonprofit partners," said Carry The Load co-founder Stephen Holley. "What started with one event has grown to a nationwide movement and has brought a lot of awareness, a lot of resources, and ultimately, most importantly, a lot of healing to a lot of people across the country."

Starting Monday, Carry The Load is hosting its latest fundraiser called the 100,000 Meter Challenge, a month-long commitment of exercise from participants across the country.

"The 100,000 Meter Challenge is a way where people can go sign up and over the next 30 days, raise money for those groups through running, walking, biking, rowing, whatever people feel compelled to do,” Holley said.

Click here to sign up.

The effort will raise money for specially selected nonprofits around Texas and the U.S. that are helping veterans overcome the worst.

"You know, I think mental health really comes down to a number of things, but isolation is certainly a leading driver there,” said Holley, a veteran himself who is a former Navy SEAL. “And sadly, when folks transition out of the service and are not quite sure what's next and are dealing with some of these issues, it's easy to feel like you're the only one dealing with those things. It's easy to isolate and really not know where to turn."

If you or someone you know is a veteran struggling with housing or mental health, call the Veterans Crisis line at 9-8-8, then press 1.

You can also text the word TALK to 741-741.

This year, Governor Greg Abbott also announced state funding to support veterans. Nearly 200 grants totaling over $44 million were given to 161 organizations across Texas.

Texas veterans in need of assistance can find the organizations providing help in their area and how to contact them at tvc.texas.gov/fund.

November 11, 2024

Events celebrate Veterans Day in North Texas

FOX 4 KDFW

By: Dan Godwin

Dallas held its first Veterans Day parade in about four years due to COVID-19 and then weather cancelations.

The event featured a symbolic wreath-laying ceremony at Fair Park, as well as a military flyover and patriotic speeches by military leaders and local officials.

The parade itself started at the intersection of Admiral Nimitz Circle and Martin Luther King Boulevard. It made its way through parts of Downtown Dallas.

Meanwhile, at DFW National Cemetary, Captain Beau Hufstetler, a commanding officer at NAS Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, reminded the crowd that freedom is a responsibility.

"Ronald Reagan once said freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the blood stream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same," he said.

The ceremony there also featured a flyover and performances by the Midlothian High School choir and Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base’s Color Guard.

Also in Dallas, an event at Klyde Warren Park focused on exercise.

The nonprofit organization Carry the Load, which is known for its Memorial Day march, challenged people to complete a 100,000-meter fitness program.

Participants kicked off the month-long challenge off using rowing machines and stationary bikes that were set up in the park.

View the full article here.

November 13, 2023

DFW nonprofits receive holiday gift of grants from Park Place Dealership

IRVING, Texas (November 13, 2023) – Eighteen North Texas nonprofits will receive an early holiday gift today through a Season of Giving grant from Park Place Dealerships. The dealership group is awarding $100,000 to the non-profits who serve the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Park Place received applications from more than 400 North Texas area non-profits. They selected the recipients for a Season of Giving grant that aligns with one of Park Place’s Four Pillars of Giving: Education; Medical Research; Advocacy; or the Arts.

Click here to see the full story.

November 11, 2023

Packers Daily: Packers Host Kick off Event for Veteran Integration Program

Nov. 11 - Carry The Load's non-profit partner, Courage Foundation, and it's Veteran Integration Program was hosted by the Green Bay Packers as a part of their Veterans Day "Salute To Service".

Click here to see the full story.

October 30, 2023

Carry The Load Invites America to Celebrate Veterans by Participating in a Heroes Challenge Fitness Event Nov. 1-11

The Heroes Challenge fitness challenge shows gratitude and support for the men and women who served our country.

DALLAS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES, October 30, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Carry The Load, a non-profit that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of our nation’s military, veterans, first responders and their families, is inviting Americans across the country to participate in its annual Heroes Challenge by walking, running, or working out to raise money and celebrate and honor our nation’s veterans.

Click here to see the full press release.

November 15, 2022

Veterans Day red carpet ‘thank you’ continues as a heartfelt tradition at Grapevine High School

GRAPEVINE, Texas — On this Veterans Day, and on any given day for that matter, a simple word of thanks given to someone who served the U.S. military can go a very long way. At Grapevine High School, however, the tradition of an extensive, loud, and authentically genuine thank you continues to bind veterans and the next generation together.

View the full story here.

April 26, 2022

VA encourages volunteers to “Carry The Load” for an American hero during trek across country

WASHINGTON— Beginning April 28, volunteers organized by Carry The Load, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration will visit 50 national cemeteries during a 20,000-mile march along five separate routes covering 48 states — converging on Memorial Day weekend for final rally in Dallas, Texas.

"Throughout this 32-day Memorial May campaign, marchers frequently carry signs, banners and flags honoring a fallen servicemember, Veteran or first responder," said VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matt Quinn. Read more HERE.

April 26, 2022

Carry The Load National Relay – Thursday, May 12th

BUFFALO, N.Y. — For the very first time, Carry The Load National Relay will travel through Western New York on Thursday, May 12th. This National Relay consists of five routes that cover 20,000 miles across 48 states. The relay team walks and cycles daily throughout the 32-day Memorial May campaign where people of all ages can join to honor and remember our fallen heroes. The National Relay culminates at the Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day Weekend. Learn more, HERE.

April 5, 2022

Energy Transfer Signs National Sponsorship With Carry The Load for Its 10th Annual National Relay

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) announced today it has signed on as a national sponsor of this year’s Carry The Load 10^th Annual National Relay that honors the sacrifices of our nation’s military, veterans, first responders and their families.

“Supporting our veterans, first responders and their families is incredibly important to Energy Transfer and our employees,” said Mackie McCrea, co-CEO, Energy Transfer. Check out the full story HERE.

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