VA encourages volunteers to “Carry The Load” for an American hero during trek across country

WASHINGTON — Beginning April 28, volunteers organized by Carry The Load, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration will visit 50 national cemeteries during a 20,000-mile march along five separate routes covering 48 states — converging on Memorial Day weekend for final rally in Dallas, Texas.

VA and non-profit Carry The Load join forces for what is called “Memorial May” during the month leading up to Memorial Day to honor Veterans and servicemembers interred in national cemeteries across the country.

“This is the fifth year the National Cemetery Administration has worked with Carry The Load,” said VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matt Quinn. “Throughout this 32-day Memorial May campaign, marchers frequently carry signs, banners and flags honoring a fallen servicemember, Veteran or first responder.”

Those wishing to participate in a march are asked to register in advance. No donation is required to participate. 

The list of national cemeteries, along with the dates and times that they will be visited by Carry The Load marchers, can be found here.

For those unable to attend, NCA will share video and photographs of the cemetery visits on NCA’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Carry The Load is a non-profit providing active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of our nation’s military, Veterans, first responders and their families.

For more information about VA’s participation with Carry The Load, contact your local national cemetery or NCA Chief of Public affairs Les’ Melnyk at Les.Melnyk@VA.gov.