OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — In honor of Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day on May 30, 3 News Now is supporting the charity Carry the Load and Cody Bandars, a retired Navy SEAL from Omaha who is raising funds for the organization.
According to its website, Carry the Load was founded in Texas in 2011 when two veteran U.S, Navy SEALs started with "a mission to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day. Today, it has grown to include more than just our military heroes and more than just the one holiday. Carry The Load works to bring all Americans together to participate in honoring our nation’s heroes every day."
This year is the 10th annual national relay and Bandars is raising money and walking in memory of U.S. Army Col. Scott Green.
The Ft. Leavenworth Lamp paid tribute to Greenfollowing a memorial service last year. He was originally from Sioux Falls, S.D. and was the director of the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas.
Onhis fundraising page Bandars writes, "In my 5th year of leaving the Navy, I am more motivated than ever to continue to support Carry The Load and help Americans honor the service and sacrifice of our Heroes. Carry The Load has given me the opportunity to continue my service, and keep me on mission to support our nation."
The relay passes through Des Moines, Omaha and Lincoln on May 23 and 24.
The organization said in a recent news release: "In addition to providing emotional healing, Carry The Load raises much needed funds to assist with the many challenges facing our military, veterans, first responders and their families. Peer-to-peer fundraising goes toward recovery services, such as counseling, adaptive training, service dogs, suicide prevention, job placements, home improvements, scholarships for children of the fallen, and more. The 2022 goal is to reach $2 million in peer-to-peer fundraising."
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