CARRY THE LOAD

What started in 2011 as a grassroots effort by Veteran U.S. Navy SEALs, Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley has now grown into a nationwide movement with people honoring and remembering our nation’s heroes throughout the year.

Our military, veterans and first responders, along with their families, carry a heavy burden on our behalf. Carry The Load exists so they don’t have to carry that alone. Carry The Load provides active ways to connect Americans of all generations to the sacrifices made by our military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Honoring their service and sacrifice is about more than monuments and saying “thank you.” Our vision is to unite Americans in a nationwide movement of honor, service and healing.

The cost of service is heavy, and it doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Carry The Load is proud to step into the gaps that these heroes and their families often experience alone, including dealing with loss, the cost of service, mental health struggles, adjusting to civilian life and more.
- Families carry the weight of service every day. When a hero dies in the line of duty, that weight lasts a lifetime.
- Veterans and first responders have some of the highest mental-health risks in the U.S.
- 1 in 3 first responders develop PTSD at some point in their career.
- Veteran suicide rate is 2X the general U.S. adult population.

We are the bridge between the public and the service community. We create spaces for understanding, connection and healing for those carrying the lasting impacts of service. To date, Carry The Load has raised over $50 million for essential services for our heroes
and their families. Carry The Load provides year-round support to heroes, but our national events give communities the chance to physically come together and carry the load.
- Memorial May features over 75 community-based events to honor and support the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.
- The National Day of Service, hosted annually around September 11th, provides the opportunity to visit and beautify national, grant-funded, and local cemeteries across the country around the country in honor of those who served our country.
- Veterans Day is an opportunity to turn a “thank you” into meaningful action for those who have served and carried the burden on our behalf.

Carry The Load partners with other nonprofits across the U.S. to provide resources and care to our heroes and their families. 93% of every dollar raised supports programs for these heroes. Donations provide critical services such as counseling, suicide-prevention initiatives, adaptive training, non-traditional therapies, service-dog programs, and career placement resources.