27-05-2025
Annual awareness march Carry the Load pass through Greenville and Rockwall
Despite stormy weather eventually leading to an early end for the Dallas Memorial March on Sunday night, a small-but-passionate group of supporters of veterans and first responders braved Saturday afternoon drizzle as they participated in the Greenville stretch of Carry the Load, walking from the Greenville Farmers Market to Gibson Automotive.
For the past 11 years, Greenville and Rockwall have been stopping points for the East Coast Relay of the nationwide walk, which aims to raise awareness of America's veterans and first responders – especially those who died in the line of duty or took their own lives because of PTSD or other struggles.
After the Greenville stop, the group proceeded to Rockwall, where McLendon-Chisholm mayor and Marine Corps veteran Bryan McNeal was one of the participants.
'I have walked many years in Carry The Load, have made many friends and have formed many memories,' McNeal said. 'It is an absolute honor to walk each year, hear stories, read names, have prayer and understand going into Memorial Day why we pause and remember.'
Despite forecasts of incoming storms, some remembrance-related events continued into Monday, including the morning ceremony at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Rockwall. However, the Greenville ceremony, which was planned for Monday evening at Audie Murphy Memorial Bridge, was canceled.
