The CARRY THE LOAD national relay will make a special stop in La Vergne, TN on May 17th as part of its cross-country mission to restore the meaning of Memorial Day. The relay, organized by the charity CARRY THE LOAD, began in West Point, NY and will travel through multiple cities honoring veterans and fallen service members before ending in Dallas, TX on Memorial Day. La Vergne's police chief and mayor encourage citizens to show their support for the walkers as they pass through the city. Funds raised by the relay will support organizations assisting military families.
Lavergne, TN Welcomes Carry The Load National Relay Press Release: 05/10/13
1. NEWS RELEASE Contact: Kathy Tyson
(615) 207-4678
ktyson@lavergnetn.gov
NATIONAL RELAY CARRY THE LOAD MAKES SPECIAL STOP IN LA VERGNE, TN
AS PART OF CROSS COUNTRY MISSION TO “TAKE BACK MEMORIAL DAY”
LA VERGNE, Tenn. (May 10, 2013) —The city of La Vergne will welcome the national relay, CARRY
THE LOAD (CTL), an initiative (organized by the charity organization by the same name--Carry The
Load) to unite Americans in a walk to honor those who have fallen in service to our country—
veterans, service men and women, first responders, citizens and volunteers—to “carry the load” for
those who have and those who can no longer.
Since departing West Point, NY, CARRY THE LOAD has been embraced by a supportive public
raising nearly $335,000 to date and welcoming more than 800 road warriors along the way. The third
NYC leg dispatched from the Horse Soldiers Memorial (located at Ground Zero) with Fire Commissioner
Salvatore Cassano, along with members of the NYC Fire Department and 9/11 family members, leading
the way with mutually shared excitement to “regain” the meaning of Memorial Day. The City of La
Vergne, TN welcomes CTL on Leg 231 in an extended overnight stop on Friday, May 17, 2013. CTL
will travel along Murfreesboro Road through to La Vergne between 8-10 a.m.
“The message and mission of ‘Carry the Load’ really hits home to me. My 86 year-old Daddy served
in the South Pacific as a young Sailor during World War II, and my 26 year-old son is a young U.S.
Army Reserve Soldier on active duty in Afghanistan. These Veterans are walking from West Point, NY,
to Dallas, TX, to remind us of the real meaning of Memorial Day,” said Police Chief, Mike Walker.
“I encourage all of LaVergne’s Veterans, as well as any Veteran to come out and participate in this
awesome event. All citizens who are not veterans should come to show their support to those who
have served, and those who are serving now. Be sure to wear your patriotic colors, and bring your
U.S. Flag with you! Let’s show the ‘Carry the Load Relay Team’ support like they have never seen
before!”
Citizens are encouraged to welcome the walkers by showing their patriotism – wearing red, white and
blue and carrying U.S. flags. Parking will be available at businesses located along Murfreesboro Road and
City Hall. Additionally, residents can walk with the CARRY THE LOAD team by meeting on Lillian
Buchanan Drive next to the U.S. Post Office anytime after 5:30 p.m. From there, city officials, fire
fighters, police, representatives of Rolling Thunder, and others will converge with the walkers passing
through at approximately 6:00 p.m.
“It was such a huge honor last year to welcome Carry the Load as they passed through La Vergne. We
are absolutely elated that the city has been chosen again this year to host this courageous group of
military personnel,” said Mayor, Senna Mosley. “Not only did they serve our country with dignity and
care, but they continue to give back to the families of soldiers who were lost while fulfilling their duty to
our great nation. I am humbled to walk with them as they come through La Vergne.”
Individuals, businesses and organizations may sponsor segment(s) of the relay in an effort to help families
of fallen heroes. All funds raised will be donated to CARRY THE LOAD’s beneficiaries--Heroes On
The Water, Snowball Express, Sons Of The Flag Burn Foundation, T.A.P.S. and Team Red, White
2. & Blue, and Tip Of The Spear--organizations focused on supporting military families. To register as a
Load Carrier /or/ demonstrate your support by sponsoring a portion of the Relay /or/ to donate
directly to the campaign, please visit www.CarryTheLoad.org.
2013 Carry The Load Market Stops Remaining:
-Friday, May17 – McMinnville / Murfreesboro / LaVergne, TN
-Saturday, May 18 – ARMED FORCES DAY) Nashville, TN
-Sunday, May 19 – Linden / Perryville / Henderson, TN
-Monday, May 20 – Memphis, TN
-Tuesday, May 21– Little Rock, AR
-Wednesday, May 22 –Benton / Hot Springs / Arkadelphia, AR
-Thursday, May 23 – Prescott / Hope / Texarkana, AR
-Friday, May 24 – Naples / Omaha / Mt. Pleasant / Mt. Vernon, TX
-Saturday, May 25 – Sulphur Springs / Greenville / Royse City, TX
-Sunday, May 26 – Dallas, TX
-Monday, May 27 (MEMORIAL DAY) – Dallas, TX
ABOUT CARRY THE LOAD
Founded in 2011 by Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley (U.S. Naval Academy graduates and U.S. Navy veterans),
CARRY THE LOAD is a non-profit [501(c)(3)] foundation organized to restore the meaning and purpose of
Memorial Day and recognize those who devoted their lives to protect us in defense of our nation, intolerable crime
and unforeseen tragedy and disaster.
With the mission to engage Americans by challenging us to look beyond the contemporary three-day weekend (now
customarily observed and celebrated by back-yard barbeques furniture and mattress sales), CTL hopes to rejuvenate
the true meaning and purpose of the holiday—to honor those who served and died for our country and community
by participating in the National Relay and acknowledging Memorial Day throughout the entire month as “Memorial
May.”
Originating in Dallas, TX, the 2011 inaugural event encompassed a 20-hour, 11-minute walk with more than 400
participants. Elevating to a national level, the 2012 CARRY THE LOAD mapped out a 24/7 foot-powered national
relay—an initiative that was supported by more than 6,000 Americans who walked a route that began in West Point,
NY, and continued across the nation over the course of 1,700 miles and 27 Days before landing in Dallas, TX, for a
Memorial Day March.
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CARRY THE LOAD NATIONAL RELAY
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