Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes Memorial Day and Every Day
DALLAS (PRWEB) April 27, 2017 -- For many, what was meant to be a day of remembering the sacrifices of fallen military service members and first responders has become a weekend of sales, barbecues and three-day vacations. Six years ago, after losing friends in combat, two former Navy SEALs decided that wasn’t enough, and set out to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day.
“Though Memorial Day can be time to celebrate family and freedoms we enjoy as Americans, we set out to restore respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” says Stephen Holley, president and CEO of Carry The Load and former Navy SEAL. “We’re proud that we’ve been able to expand this mission to include more than just our military heroes and more than just one holiday – our mission is to celebrate, honor and remember all those who sacrifice for us daily.”
As part of its Awareness Program, Carry The Load hosts its annual National Relay throughout the month of May to honor the sacrifices made by our nation's heroes. Funds are raised throughout May for Carry The Load's Continuum of Care Program which provides direct services to military, law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, and their families through partnerships with other nonprofits across the country. Among 25 total nonprofit partners, Carry The Load’s 2017 featured nonprofit partners include 22 Kill, the Adaptive Training Foundation, Assist the Officer Foundation, Equest Hooves for Heroes, F.A.R.M., Higher Ground, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Travis Manion Foundation.
Carry The Load’s programs remind Gold Star families their loved ones are never forgotten. Watch this emotional clip to see how Carry The Load recently connected an Army veteran, who walked in the National Relay, to his fallen comrade’s family.
This year’s 31-day relay will span more than 6,000 total miles and is comprised of a 2,100-mile East Coast route from West Point, NY to Dallas and a 4,100-mile West Coast route from Seattle to Dallas. The two routes converge in Dallas on Memorial Day for a 20-hour and 17-minute Memorial March.
Since 2011, more than 75,000 Americans have participated and helped to raise more than $13.7 million. Based on the number of National Relay teams, local events and sponsors signed up to date, Carry The Load is expecting to exceed those numbers this year.
Visit CarryTheLoad.org to participate, volunteer or donate. Join the conversation by following Carry The Load on Facebook, Twitter (@CarryTheLoad) and Instagram (@CarryTheLoad), and share who you are carrying with the hashtag #CarryTheLoad.
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About Carry The Load®
Carry The Load is a registered 501©3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by two former Navy SEALs. Carry The Load's mission is to provide an active way to honor and celebrate our nation’s heroes by connecting Americans to the sacrifices made by Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighters and First Responders. Funds raised during Memorial May programs allow Carry The Load to grow its vision and execute its mission, as well as provide existing nonprofit partners with valuable visibility, resources and meaningful connections. For more information, go to CarryTheLoad.org.
Micaela Benedetti, FleishmanHillard, +1 (972) 765-8832, [email protected]
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