With Memorial Day remembrances just around the corner, an organization honoring the sacrifices made by military, veterans, and first responders asks the community to join in a coordinated national relay walking event on Tuesday.
Two former marines started the walking relay project as a fundraising event for veterans and a social awareness campaign acknowledging sacrifices made for liberty. The program invites community members to participate actively by walking together with civilian volunteers, neighbors, local vets, military persons, and first responders. Media Liaison Landon Rowe said it's a way to remember the sacrifices people have made for the nation.
The mountain segment which comes through Park City is new this year. He said they'll spend about two weeks walking in communities from North Dakota to Dallas, Texas, where the other three groups will converge for a ceremony on Memorial Day.
"It's a relay. It's more than that. We're a national nonprofit. We have four routes, east coast, west coast, Midwest, and now this is the inaugural mountain route, but our main goal is to honor the sacrifices of veterans and first responders and remember those people that are the reason that we live in this wonderful country. We do everything we can to remember them and honor them by doing these marches.
Rowe said their goal is to raise $1.5 million. Each year they distribute the funds to various veteran's organizations. He said donations are appreciated but not required to participate in the walk.
"So, we're about halfway through our month of marching, and we've already raised $1 million and counting. So, we're very excited about that, and we are partnered with lots and lots of veteran's organizations.
Hundreds of participants around the country will spend 32 days walking many miles to raise awareness and money.
The Park City leg of the relay starts Tuesday at 1 PM at Fire Station 31, located at 2388 Holiday Ranch Loop Rd in Park Meadows. They'll finish at City Park on Park Avenue at the Jack Sutton Field.
To participate, show up at the fire station on Holiday Ranch. And to donate, go to carrytheload.org.