Events

Featured Events

Memorial May

Honor the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes through community events held nationwide throughout May

9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance

Remember and honor the heroes and victims of September 11th.

Veterans Day

Celebrate and thank those who have bravely served our nation.

Upcoming Events

Apr 27

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Memorial May – Congers, NY

Apr 28

9:00 am - 11:45 am

Memorial May – New York City, NY

Apr 28

1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Memorial May – Staten Island, NY

Apr 29

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Memorial May – Wilmington, DE

Apr 30

9:00 am - 12:15 pm

Memorial May – Washington DC

View Calendar

See all events →
Engage With Us

Get Involved

Find an Event
Make a Donation
Founders Brigade

Support

Shop
Newsroom
Podcast

Honor a Hero

Share the story of a fallen hero or service member who has made an impact on your life.

Submit a Tribute

View Tribute Wall
About Us

About Us

Who We Are
Our Mission
Contact Us
Scholarship

Team

Our Team
Partners
Ambassadors
Founder’s Brigade

From the Newsroom

North Texas Mom and Army Veteran Surprised with Free HVAC System

Latest Story

CTL Opens Registration for Veterans Day 100K Meter Challenge

Recent Story

View All News
Shop
Login

Featured, In the News

Carrying the load for those who gave so much

May 27, 2025

Adirondack Daily Enterprise

By: Chris Gaige

Honoring our nation’s heroes and raising awareness of their daily sacrifices during and after service — with maximum visibility. That was the idea behind the Carry The Load rally held in Lake Placid on Sunday.

In its eighth iteration, the event took place the day before Memorial Day. Participants walked, biked or paddled around Mirror Lake and through downtown Lake Placid on a busy weekend day — raising awareness for and paying tribute to current and former military members and first responders.

Lake Placid’s rally was organized by Stuart Hemsley, who has done so since it began here in 2015.

“This is our day,” he said. “This is a day where we’re not taking away from anybody, but we’re just trying to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day. We’re not protesting, we’re just letting you know that there are people out there who need help, and we’re willing to help them.”

Differing from Memorial Day, which honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military, much of Carry The Load’s purpose is to help those who have given so much, or “carried the load” in service and are adjusting back to civilian life — some of whom may be struggling.

The rally was part of a nationwide slate of Carry The Load events that took place throughout May. Over the weekend, a number of rallies convened in Dallas, with organizers estimating 20,000 people in attendance.

The funds raised during Lake Placid’s rally stay local — this year the rally supported Homeward Bound Adirondacks, a nonprofit focused on helping veterans throughout the region. James Howard served in the U.S. Army for three years as a 19D Cavalry Scout, where he was the eyes and ears for various military operations. Now, he’s a veteran helping other veterans as a Peer Specialist with Homeward Bound Adirondacks.

Howard, who spoke at the rally in Lake Placid, said his work now includes organizing social events — such as bowling, golf and kayaking — arranging transportation to and from medical appointments, providing food and housing services to veterans in need and aiding veterans who are in crisis.

“We just help them out with anything and everything that they need help with,” he said.

Howard said working in a region as rural as the Adirondacks adds to the challenges, but at the same time, it makes the organization’s mission all the more important.

“It’s a struggle to get anywhere and everywhere,” he said. “It seems like everything is two hours away — so to be able to facilitate a ride for veterans to and from their appointments is so meaningful to us, and it’s just one of the better services that we provide.”

Before the rally stepped away from Mid’s Park to make its first lap around Mirror Lake, Howard said his motivation to dedicate his life these days to look out for the veteran and first responder communities was profound.

“I lost brothers, and this is for them,” he said.

Support Our Mission

Help us honor and remember the sacrifices made by our military, first responders, and their families.

Featured Events

Memorial May

9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance

Veterans Day

Upcoming Events

Memorial May – Congers, NY

Memorial May – New York City, NY

Memorial May – Staten Island, NY

Memorial May – Wilmington, DE

Memorial May – Washington DC

One-Time Donation

Monthly Partnership

Carrying the load for those who gave so much

Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Recent Articles

North Texas mom and Army veteran surprised with free HVAC system

Carry The Load Opens Registration for Veterans Day 100,000 Meter Challenge Presented by Government Employees Health Association (G.E.H.A)

National Day of Service

Volunteers clean up Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary as part of Patriot Day event

Support Our Mission

Featured Events

Upcoming Events

Get Involved

Support

Honor a Hero

About Us

Team

From the Newsroom

One-Time Donation

Monthly Partnership

Carrying the load for those who gave so much

Recent Articles

Support Our Mission