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Lake Charles Set to Host Powerful Carry The Load Event Friday

May 20, 2025

Gator 99.5

There’s a pretty powerful event coming to the lakefront this Friday, and it’s one you don’t want to miss. Carry The Load SWLA is making a stop in Lake Charles as part of their national relay across the Gulf Coast, and it’s all going down at the new Southwest Louisiana Children’s Museum at Port Wonder.

If you’ve never heard of Carry The Load, it was started by two Navy SEALs back in 2011 who wanted to bring back the real meaning of Memorial Day. Since then, it’s grown into a national movement with events like this one happening all over the country.

It kicks off around 3 p.m. on Friday, where folks will gather for a short ceremony to honor our veterans, first responders, and those who gave their lives for our country. We’ll hear from some incredible speakers—local heroes, families who’ve lost loved ones, and others who remind us why Memorial Day actually matters.

Then around 4 p.m., we’ll hit the pavement for a 1.5-mile walk around the lakefront to honor the fallen. It’s not a race, it’s a chance to reflect, connect, and show up for the people who carried the load for the rest of us.

The best part? It’s totally free to join. Just head to CarryTheLoad.org, click on “Memorial May Events,” and look for the Carry The Load SWLA team.

This isn’t just another Friday, it’s a chance for all of us in Lake Charles to come together and show some serious respect to those who gave everything.