NORFOLK, Va. — Wisconsin paramedic Steve Hensley was walking down the busy streets of Norfolk Wednesday.

He’s part of a nationwide relay called Carry the Load, honoring fallen first responders and military members.

“When I was younger, I worked in the fire service out west,” said Hensley. “I lost five friends in a helicopter crash. There were three of us who had not been on the aircraft at the time. In 2011, one of the other survivors of it had taken their life. In 2014, the other survivor had taken his life.”