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National walk comes to Denver to focus on Memorial Day’s true meaning

May 19, 2025

9News

Participants across the country are walking to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day as part of Carry The Load‘s national campaign to honor fallen military members and first responders.

The nonprofit organization’s month-long initiative features four teams traveling approximately 20,000 miles collectively across the United States during May, converging in Dallas for a final Memorial Day weekend event.

“We’re trying to bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day,” said David Lindsey of Carry The Load’s nationwide events team. “What we want to do is give the community constructive ways that they can honor their military and first responders that have died in the line of duty.”

Founded in 2011 by veteran U.S. Navy SEALs Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley, Carry The Load began when Bruce, upset about how Memorial Day was being observed, filled a rucksack with weights symbolizing fallen comrades and walked around a Dallas lake.

“As he’s walking around, a World War II veteran sitting on a bench makes the connection instantly and asks, ‘Hey, soldier, who you carrying?'” Lindsey explained. “Out of that one question, the whole movement started.”

This year’s Denver event featured a three-mile loop through downtown Denver, with participants carrying bibs displaying names and pictures of fallen service members.

For Ambassador John Kohlschein, a U.S. Air Force veteran, the walk has deep personal significance.

“Each step is just a reminder of their sacrifice, and each step reminds me that the only reason I could take that step, and that next step, is because of their sacrifice,” he said.

Kohlschein carried the names of four fallen servicemen — Specialist Patrick Browne, Sgt. Jaime Cox, Sgt. Calvin Morgan and Sgt. Ryan Smith — while walking alongside their widows.

Rachel Fox Browne, widow of Patrick Browne, attended the Denver event.

“I’m here because I’m honoring my husband, who is no longer here but died for our country due to his service,” she said.

The campaign began on April 28 and will continue through Memorial Day. According to Carry The Load’s website, the organization aims to raise $1.5 million this year to support services for military members, veterans, and their families, including counseling, suicide prevention and education scholarships for children of the fallen.

“These people die twice,” Lindsey said. “The first time is their physical death, and the second time is when we stop speaking their names. That’s just one of the things we don’t want to happen.”

JPMorgan Chase serves as the National Presenting Sponsor for the 11th consecutive year. Since its founding, Carry The Load has raised $46 million, with 93% going directly to programs.

“We’re not going to condemn you if you don’t remember Memorial Day, but just take a moment and remember those that have gone before us and have given that ultimate sacrifice,” Lindsey said. “Just take a moment to remember what they’ve done for all of us.”

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National walk comes to Denver to focus on Memorial Day’s true meaning

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