Law enforcement in Hot Springs took time to participate in two very important events recently, one that supports the Special Olympics program and another that celebrates the heroes walking among us. Carry The Load, a non-profit that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices of our military, veterans, first responders, and their families, kicked off its Memorial May campaign on Monday, April 29. People of all ages can join the month-long national movement to honor and remember our fallen heroes. The Hot Springs Police Department was privileged and proud to be part of the the campaign this year. “HSPD had the honor to be a part of Carry The Load’s Memorial May campaign,” the department posted to their social media on Wednesday. “It takes place all month long to raise awareness and provide active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices made by our military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Thank you to all who participated and showed their support.” The 14th annual Memorial May campaign will stay true to its roots of connecting people to the true meaning of Memorial Day. What started in 2011 as one Memorial Day march has catapulted in numbers and impact. This year, thousands of participants are walking in Carry The Load’s National Relay that spans 20,000 miles, 48 states, and 69 community events including 32 VA National Cemeteries. The relay will converge at the Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day weekend. If you would like to get involved in the Carry The Load campaign, here’s how: ● People of all ages can register for free to walk with the National Relay team, attend a Community Event, and fundraise at carrytheload.org/Memorial-May. ● Join the Dallas Memorial March. ● Host a Carry it Anywhere event on your own. ● Educate youth with Carry The Flag activities that help inspire patriotism. Carry The Load raises much needed funds to assist with many challenges facing our military, veterans, first responders, and their families. The non-profit’s goal this year is $2 million through peer-to-peer fundraising. Since 2011, Carry The Load has raised more than $42 million, with a remarkable 93% of donations going toward its programs. View the full story here.