March honoring servicemen moves through Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – A national campaign march called Carry the Load is looking to remember fallen heroes.
The group made its way through Lansing on Saturday morning, with a purpose of honoring members of the military and first responders who gave everything for our country.
“We kind of take things for granted and we just need to remember those who paid the ultimate price so that we can have these freedoms, so we can have these barbecues and our sales and have everyday life here in America,” Midwest Relay Manager for Carry the Load Andy Medrano said.
The goal is to try and connect people across the country and spread awareness of the sacrifices so many have made.
“Carry the Load was started back in 2011 by two navy seals and they just wanted to bring back an active way to honor and just remember the fallen heroes, both our military, first responders, veterans, and their families,” Medrano said.
The group consists of five relay times, each of them spread throughout the U.S. including the West Coast, the Mountain States, over in New England, the East Coast, and of course, the Midwest. All relay teams are walking 20,000 miles combined.
“Our route is 22 days, we start out in Minneapolis, and from there we travel all throughout the Midwest on our way to Dallas and where we meet up with our other four relay teams for a total of five on Memorial Day,” the official said.
One veteran who recently got involved said the feedback has been amazing.
“This area has been fantastic. Whether it’s those that actively participate and come and walk or it’s those that are driving by or standing in their yard, the reception has been very gracious and it’s appreciated,” Bert Walton said, who is now helping out the organization. “For me, I’ve become complacent some with my personal version of honoring those that came before us. So, to take a more active role, it meant a lot to me and it’s life changing.”
You can find out more about Carry the Load and their mission here.
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