Memorial Day is a day of remembrance to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and to pay tribute to their legacy of courage, dedication and selflessness.
That is why VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry The Load this year. Together, the goal is to honor and remember Veterans interred in VA National Cemeteries.
Carry The Load, an organization dedicated to remembering the fallen, will visit 34 VA National Cemeteries traveling 20,000 miles along five separate routes covering all continental 48 states in what is known as the National Relay for Memorial May 2024.
Along the five routes, many marchers will carry signs, banners and flags honoring a fallen service member, Veteran or first responder.
Find out when & where the National Relay will be in a city near you as supporters and volunteers walk through 48 states & hundreds of communities to honor our nation’s heroes. The list of national cemeteries, along with the dates and times that they will be visited can be found below, or at Memorial May 2024 – National Cemetery Administration (va.gov). Those wishing to participate in a march are asked to register in advance. No donation is required to participate.
West Coast Route
- May 2, 2024, 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. PT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Kent, WA
- May 3, 2024, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Happy Valley, OR
- May 6, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00 a.m. PT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Sausalito, CA
- May 10, 2024, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. PT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Los Angeles, CA
- May 11, 2024, 6:45 – 7:45 a.m. PT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – San Diego, CA
- May 12, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. PT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Riverside, CA
- May 14, 2024, 8:15 – 9:30 a.m. MT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Prescott, AZ
- May 16, 2024, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. MT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – El Paso, TX
New England Route
- May 13, 2024, 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Knoxville, TN
- May 16, 2024, 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Marietta, GA
- May 21, 2024, 11:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Little Rock, AR
Mountain Route
- May 16, 2024, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. MT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Sturgis, SD
- May 17, 2024, 12:15 – 2:30 p.m. MT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Laurel, MT
- May 22, 2024, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. MT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Denver, CO
- May 23, 2024, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. MT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Colorado Springs, CO
Midwest Route
- May 8, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Milwaukee, WI
- May 16, 2024, 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Dayton, OH
- May 17, 2024, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Louisville, KY
- May 19, 2024, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. CT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – St. Louis, MO
- May 21, 2024, 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. CT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Omaha, NE
- May 22, 2024, 7:45 – 9:30 a.m. CT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Leavenworth, KS
East Coast Route
- May 4, 2024, 7:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Catonsville, MD
- May 4, 2024, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Annapolis, MD
- May 5, 2024, 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Alexandria, VA
- May 6, 2024, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Culpeper, VA
- May 9, 2024, 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Raleigh, NC
- May 16, 2024, 8:15 – 10:30 a.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Sarasota, FL
- May 17, 2024, 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – St. Petersburg, FL
- May 18, 2024, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Bushnell, FL
- May 21, 2024, 3:45 – 6:00 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Pensacola, FL
- May 22, 2024, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. CT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Biloxi, MS
- May 23, 2024, 4:15 – 5:00 p.m. ET: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Baton Rouge, LA
- May 25, 2024, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT: Carry The Load’s Memorial May Campaign – Houston, TX
VA encourages all Americans to honor a fallen service member by leaving a tribute on the Veteran’s personal memorial page at VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM).
For more information please visit: Memorial May 2024 – National Cemetery Administration (va.gov).
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Its amusing how the new England route goes through Georgia. They must have to school there too.
HOW COME PUERTO RICO VETERANS BURIED IN CEMENTERIO NACIONAL OF BAYAMON AND OTHER LOCATION ARE NOT INCLUDED. EVEN THE NAME OF THE NATIONAL CEMENTERY OF BAYAMON AND OTHER NATIONAL CEMENTERY IN OTHER LOCATION OF PUERTO RICO ” CARRY THE LOAD ” THE DIRECTOR AND THOSE IN ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTION DIN’t EVEN NEW OF THIS EVENT WHICH START MAY 2 TO MAY 25. NOT ANY LOCAL AGENCY, GROUP OF VETERAN, THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR SAN JUAN VETERAN COMISSIONER, WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS EVENTTO TAKE PLACE IN THE STATES. PUERTO RICO NATIONAL CEMENTERY IS EVEN BIGGER THAT SOME OF THE CEMENTERY TO TAKE PART. IS A SHAME THAT PUERTO RICO IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FOR THIS EVENT.
Somebody goofed on New England
I didn’t see the Dallas cemetery listed
Prescott AZ for the Veterans Memorial March???? What happened to Tucson, Mesa, Phoenix area? Prescott where most enlisted veterans cant afford to live!
I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY, MEMORIAL SHOULDNT BE FOR ONE DAY BUT FOR THE WHOLE MONTH OF MAY,AS A SERVICE CONNECTED VETERAN I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR COUNTRY HONORBLY YOU SHOULD GET FREE RENT FOR LIFE,MEDICAL,EDUCATION WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE RED TAPE SYNDROM,A FREE HOUSE OR AN APARTMENT OF YOUR CHOICE, AND BE GIVEN A NEW VEHICLE OF YOUR CHOICE, ISNT THIS WHAT AMERICA WAS BUILT ON THIS IS THE AMERICA I FOUGHT FOR, I ALSO BELIEVE THAT ALL VETERANS SHOULD BE HONORED IN THEE MOST POSSIBLE WAY NESECSARY POSSIBLE,
I agree, but those lap dogs in Congress and the Senate who support the wealthiest and their tax breaks, wouldn’t stand for it. They continue to put the tax burden on the little guys struggling to make ends meet and take away what few deductions they have or raising the rate to high to qualify to use them.
Great compliment to our fallen heroes; looking forward to being in attendance.
Is it possible to get involved if there is a Legion such as ours that would like to bring this to Minnesota. We have a Veterans on the Hill Event that is fairly well received.
I wish we could include James A Haley in Tampa.
Is this for Memorial May? Those who died while serving? Or Memorial Day for all that served?
Memorial Day is to honor the fallen heroes that gave their life for this country and everyone’s freedom. Veterans day is for ALL who have served this country (30 days min in service to be considered a Vet).
Was looking for s stop in Oklahoma. 25th inf div RVN. 1970 – 1980.
“Some Gave All”
“ No Greater Love”
I don’t see Dallas, Texas (National cemetery/Grand Prairie) listed. Is there another list including Dallas Forth Worth?
It’s a shame that South Carolina is not on the list. But it always seems to be the usual, on programs such as this one.
I am grateful for all the volunteers and service personnel who will make this tremendous trek. I am in awe of all the places you will be going. Our veterans deserve to be not only recognized but better supported and lauded for their sacrifices. Memorial day is just one day-we should have a month that we cheer them on. thanks to all veterans from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifices and their families’ sacrifices.
Thank you. I am also a veteran 1965 to 1968. met my husband during my term. We have been married more than 50 years
Why do the New England routes have stops in the south?
No where close to Rhode Island
That’s to bad…
As a Purple Heart recipient
from Beirut Lebanon 1983
We are the smallest state
In USA and yet
We lost the most Marines
FT Sam Houston doesn’t get a visit?,,,tsk tsk tsk Military City (San Antonio, TX) should get added on after the Houston cemetery!
Tn, Ar, &Ga are about as far as you can get from New England……………………
“Carry the Load” TV ads in the Dallas area say this organization is returning the “true meaning of Memorial Day.” Carry the Load has a laudable purpose, but the true meaning of Memorial Day is to remember military men and women who lost their lives during service. Carry the Load includes first responders with the Memorial Day remembrance Thus, I do not support Carry the Load due to their misrepresentation of “Memorial Day.”
Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas are not in New England.
With such a large USMC footprint in North Carolina I’d like to see us added to the route.
Good morning, and ope that all is well, i dont see the carry the load in nyc
What about Salisbury nc va cemetery
Arkansas is not in New England.
I don’t understand how you can plan route’s that don’t seem to include West Point and Arlington National Cemetery. On top of that I live in south Florida. The nearest route is over 200 miles away. Couldn’t there have been a route planned that started in the Miami area?
What Happened to Andersonville, Ga. National Cemetery? I have 4 friends buried there. They have been interned there in the last 20 years. Plus let us not forget the Hundreds of Union Soldiers that died in that prisoner of war camp at Andersonville, Ga.
?? GUAM ??
Where is the Guam route!?!? There’s tons of Veterans here & Guam needs help, hope, & good people now more than ever. I’d be glad to help organize & execute if needed. Just a thought; thanks for all you do for Vets & our Nation ??
Biba Guahan ?? Biba USA ??
I see what is supposedly a New England Route but it is nowhere near New England. Is this a mistake or am I not seeing something?
Typical VA right?!?
Have you forgotten the veterans buried at Greenwood cemetery in Orlando, Florida?
WE ONLY GET ONE DAY BUT GAY PRIDE GETS 1 MONTH . WHAT A COUNTRY WE LIVE IN. WE ARE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE WORLD!!!
Absolutely WRONG in so many ways that sexual preference demands more recognition than that of our HERO’S. Our Veterans, active and deceased deserve so much more than they get. Without them no one would have Freedom. I wish this tribute would last as long as it would take to visit all the cemeteries in each state. Closest one to us on this route is hundreds of miles away.
I’m a 32 year AF Vet!
Where is Michigan
Why isn’t 33418 not taking part in this project ? I’m willing to give it shot.
Why is New York especially Long Island with Calverton National Cemetery not included
Aloha. Please include Ft Hood/Killeen Texas in “Carry the Load” next year as we have a very large veteran community in this area. Much appreciated.
The states listed for the “New England Route”, Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas, ARE NOT in New England. New England generally consists of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
This is wonderful. It’s too bad we need such a thing but I’m happy to see it. I salute all the Women and Men who have given their lives for FREEDOM and I also salute all those who have been wounded in defense of our FREEDOM. I pray I will see the day when we no longer need to have such an update to any memorial. There has been more than enough death and destruction in our world. God bless all those who have served.
The New England route is TN,GA,Ak. What about New England NY,ct,,ma,
why is nothing listed for True New England states? massachusetts, connecticut,rhode island , new hampshire, maine, vermont????!!
I don’t see anything in Alabama
Most of the New England Veterans cemetery’s have been left out . Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Maine , all with significant numbers of Veterans. Disappointing
It’s to bad the New England route doesn’t go to any part of New England