By: Carlee Hogsten

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A national relay walk came through Lexington today to honor the nation’s heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Walking miles with a flag pole in hand is something most people don’t do on their Sunday. For Chapel Tinus, it’s something she does to help honor fallen heroes.

“Everybody has a story and so it’s honestly a huge honor to carry on the legacy of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Tinius, Carry The Load Returning Participant.

The program is called Carry The Load, where hundreds of veterans, public servants and families join together to walk across the country in a month-long relay. As a granddaughter of two World War 2 Veterans, Tinus says she knows what impact this has on families and the community.

“We’ve gotten to watch so many people use this as a healing process when they’ve lost someone,” Tinius said.

The walks are a way to raise funds for other non-profits that serve current veterans and first responders. Team Member Christian Williams says they also write names down of one’s who have fallen.

“We are told when we begin this, we have two deaths. The first time is when we physically leave this earth and the second is when people stop saying our name,” Williams said. “What we strive to do is make sure that no hero dies that second death.”

Carry The Load honors fallen veterans and military but also police officers and firefighters like Lexington Fire Department’s Chuck Williams. His last call was on February 17, 1997, where he died fighting a house fire that was deliberately set. Lexington Firefighter Mike Kamphake says that when the community gathers to honor fallen heroes like firefighter Williams, the fire department feels supported.

“There are people who have paid an ultimate price. That’s a legacy and we have to live up to their standards,” Kamphake said. “We are constantly working to take care of each other and this shows that they do care.”