TEXARKANA, Ark. — Each stage of a 22-mile walk Thursday through Texarkana was a step toward returning meaning to Memorial Day, Carry The Load participants said.

The eight-person relay team that passed through the area is part of the New England Route, which started May 3 at Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vermont. The group’s trek includes several stops and public participation on the 3,700-mile journey to Dallas for a Memorial Day meetup with participants tracing four other routes around the country.