CARRY THE LOAD
National group walks through Texarkana while honoring fallen military and first responders
TEXARKANA — Carry The Load walked on both sides of the state line Thursday as a part of its 20,000mile national relay to honor and remember fallen military and first responders in the United States.
The nonprofit organization provides ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of the nation’s military, veterans, first responders and their families, kicked off its 10th Annual National Relay this week. Since 2011, Carry The Load’s mission to restore the meaning of Memorial Day has grown into a national movement – this year with five routes covering 48 states to honor and remember those who have made sacrifices for the country.
The 32-day, 20,000-mile national relay includes five routes crossing 48 states and 100 rallies before culminating at the Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day weekend.
People of all ages can participate by walking with the National Relay team, attending a rally, hosting their own Carry It Anywhere event, organizing a youth Carry The Flag activity and fundraising. Registration is complementary at www.carrytheload.org/MemorialMay. Carry The Load also raises funds to assist with its mission. Peer-topeer fundraising goes toward recovery services, such as counseling, adaptive training, service dogs, suicide prevention, job placements, home improvements, scholarships for children of the fallen and more. The 2022 goal is to reach $2 million in peer-to-peer fundraising.
“We exist to unite the country through one common purpose of honoring the lives of those who have gone before us,” said Stephen Holley, co-founder, president and CEO of Carry The Load.