Latest news with #CarryTheLoad
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
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.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Carry the Load Dallas Memorial March canceled due to storms; Gold Star family shares their story
Storms in North Texas mean an early ending for a heartfelt salute to military heroes who died in service. Hundreds of people gathered in Dallas' Reverchon Park Sunday afternoon for the Carry the Load Dallas Memorial March, before a tough decision was made to cancel the rest of the event due to the storms forecast overnight. "It's too frequent that you ask folks what they're doing on Memorial Day weekend, and not once do they mention we're going to honor the lives of those that thought that we were worthy of their sacrifice," said Hallie Johnston with the non-profit. The event began in 2011, started by two former Navy SEALs in the Dallas area, and has since grown into a nationwide movement. "It's beautiful to see that it's growing. We grow every single year here in Dallas, but also across the country and we want to make sure that the families of the fallen know that their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, family members, those in the community, that they did not die in vain," said Johnston. Families representing every branch of the military participated in the march. Throughout the six-mile loop were billboards paying tribute to our nation's heroes who died serving our country. One of them belongs to Aaron Board's brother, Cody. "Gosh, where to start with him? He was the life of the party, the life of any room he was in. He always wanted to make sure people were having fun," said Board. Cody Board was 19 when he was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. Aaron Board said he still remembers the day they received the news. "When you open that door and you see the guys in uniform, you know, it's not a great sign," said Aaron Board. As difficult as Memorial Day can be, Aaron Board said it's also impactful. "To know that people will get to see his face and see his name and learn a little bit of his story, and that his name will live on, truly means the world," said Aaron Board. The event was scheduled to run from Saturday through Sunday, but organizers announced the event would end at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday due to the chance of severe weather.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
These events in DFW honor the true meaning of Memorial Day
The Brief "Carry the Load" at Reverchon Park in Dallas gets underway at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Volunteers will also meet at DFW National Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday to place tokens on the graves of fallen heroes. DALLAS - In between gathering with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend, it is important to pause and remember what Memorial Day is all about – honoring our nation's heroes. What we know Carry the Load's Memorial Day events occur nationwide but started right here in Dallas. The tribute tangibly serves military veterans, first responders, and their families by raising money for the nonprofits that support their access to counseling, training, suicide prevention, service dogs, job placements, and scholarships for children. This year's event at Reverchon Park gets underway with an opening ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. People can visit at any time over the course of the 20-hour march to read the stories of the nation's heroes along the Katy Trail. People are also invited to walk for whatever time they would like, whether it's 20 minutes or the full 20 hours. What they're saying "My co-founder and myself served together on the SEALs teams on the West Coast out of college. And after we had gotten out and got back here to Dallas, we got into the business world. It was on the heels of losing some friends of ours out there that we had an idea around an event that could provide a meaningful Memorial Day experience and tell the stories of those men we lost," said Stephen Holley, the co-founder of Carry the Load. "No matter what you do on this weekend, whether you're heading to the lake or it's a BBQ, you need to take some time on that day and reflect on the men and women who died in service of this country." By the numbers Since Holley founded the organization in 2011, it has expanded to 48 states and raised $50 million. What we know Another one of the many events in North Texas offering people a way to reflect on Memorial Day is the Honor Project at DFW National Cemetery. Hundreds of volunteers will gather in the cemetery to visit the graves of fallen heroes, say their names, and place memorial tokens. This will be the second year for the project, which gets underway at 9:30 a.m. with a ceremony featuring Clint Bruce, a former Navy SEAL and NFL football player. What they're saying "As a surviving spouse myself, the best part is that they're going to take a picture, and they're going to text it to Travis Manion. And they're going to make sure that the family members get that picture. And so, to me, that is pretty powerful when you know that people are honoring your loved one," said Lt. Col. Mike Phillips's widow, Deanna Phillips. "Being able to honor Mike's sacrifice means everything. And if I couldn't be there, knowing that someone else would, it just is empowering and helps in the process of moving forward with your life." By the numbers While the Honor Project is new to DFW, it is in 60 national cemeteries across the nation. The Source FOX 4's Lori Brown gathered details for this story by talking to the co-founder of Carry the Load and the widow of Lt. Col. Mike Phillips, who is buried at the DFW National Cemetery. Details about Memorial Day events come from the hosting organizations.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carry The Load Walks to Honor Fallen Service Members this Memorial May
Thousands of participants across the U.S. will raise awareness and funds at events April 28 through Memorial Day Participants at 2024 Carry The Load Event JPMorganChase employees supporting Carry The Load Dallas, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carry The Load, a national non-profit veteran and first responder service organization, kicks off its Memorial May campaign on Monday, April 28 through Memorial Day. True to its mission of providing active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices made by our military, veterans, first responders, and their families, thousands of individuals will walk in honor and remembrance of fallen service members at Carry The Load events throughout the month. 'Carry The Load first started out of anger and frustration for a nation that we felt had forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day,' says Stephen Holley, co-founder, president and CEO of Carry The Load and Veteran U.S. Navy SEAL." Since then, our Memorial May campaign has helped provide healing for friends and family of the fallen and keeps their memories alive." In addition to honoring those who died in active U.S. military service, Carry The Load makes it a point to include first responders as a part of the mission. "It takes both our armed forces overseas and first responders back home to protect our families and communities," says Holley. How People Can Get Involved Find a local event at or Register a team, join an existing team, or sign up as an individual. Upon registration, start fundraising and track miles walked during Memorial May. People of all ages, family members of the fallen, service members, and civilians are all welcome. Perfect for youth groups, employee engagement, and more. If you can't make it to an event, make a tax-deductible donation at Each Memorial May, Carry The Load raises much-needed funds to assist with challenges facing service members, veterans, and their families. Peer-to-peer fundraising and donations go toward strengthening nationwide services such as counseling, adaptive training, suicide prevention, equine therapy, service dogs, job placements, transition, home improvements, education scholarships for children of the fallen, and more. This year's goal is to raise $1.5 million. Since 2011, Carry The Load has raised $46 million, with 93% of the funds raised going directly to programs. JPMorganChase is the National Presenting Sponsor of Carry The Load for the 11th consecutive year. 'Carry The Load's mission serves as a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Memorial Day, and JPMorganChase is proud to support their efforts to ensure our nation's heroes are never forgotten,' says Mark Elliott, Global Head of Military & Veterans Affairs at JPMorganChase. 'Our commitment to the military community is deeply rooted – from hiring nearly 20,000 veterans and over 3,000 military spouses since 2011, to equipping military families and veteran-owned businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Honoring the sacrifice of those who gave their lives means not only remembering them – but supporting the loved ones and communities they served.' Additional corporate partners include American Airlines; Builders FirstSource; Energy Transfer; FirstNet®, Built with AT&T Fritos; Government Employees Health Association (G.E.H.A), Jersey Mike's Subs (Houston); SRS Distribution; TACenergy; and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. The VA National Cemetery Administration is a strategic partner for the 8th consecutive year. ### ABOUT CARRY THE LOAD Carry The Load is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by veteran U.S. Navy SEALs Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley. Carry The Load's mission is to provide active ways to honor and remember our nation's heroes by connecting Americans to the sacrifices made by our military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Carry The Load has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator and is a designated Combined Federal Campaign charity #20469. For more, visit or Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Attachments Participants at 2024 Carry The Load Event JPMorganChase employees supporting Carry The Load CONTACT: Renee Cossman Carry The Load
