Carry the Load with Team TAPS
April 27 - May 28, 2023
Join your TAPS family during this very moving and inspiring memorial month as we honor our heroes nationwide during Carry the Load.
How Can You Participate?
There are several ways you can participate and honor your fallen hero. Join one of the relay routes near your city or town, join others at one of Rally Cities, join the finish at the Dallas Memorial March, or at a relay location with TAPS Togethers and honor your fallen loved one with every step. Be sure to wear your TAPS gear/attire and TAPS photo buttons, as you honor your heroes during these events.
Where Can You Participate?
The TAPS Family will be participating along the five National Relay Routes and Rally Cities and at 27 TAPS Togethers events.
We are featuring 27 locations where you can join TAPS Staff and Volunteers as we connect and honor the sacrifices made daily by our military, veterans, first responders and their families. Get details about each relay and register to participate for these locations:
- Kent, Washington Relay
Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Portland, Oregon Relay
Friday, April 28, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Roseville, California Relay
Tuesday, May 2, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Boston, Massachusetts Relay
Saturday, May 6, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Annapolis, Maryland Relay
Saturday, May 6, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Washington, D.C. Relay
Sunday, May 7, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Arlington, Virginia Relay
Sunday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Virginia Beach, Virginia Relay
Wednesday, May 10, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Riverside, California Relay
Thursday, May 11, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Las Vegas, Nevada Relay
Friday, May 12, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. - St. Clair Shores, Michigan Relay>
Saturday, May 13, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Lexington, Kentucky Relay
Sunday, May 14, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Phoenix, Arizona Relay
Sunday, May 14, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Relay
Monday, May 15, 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Relay
Monday, May 15, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Relay
Monday, May 15, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - St. Augustine, Florida Relay
Tuesday, May 16, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - San Antonio, Texas Relay
Sunday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Fort Walton Beach, Florida Relay
Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. - Omaha, Nebraska Relay
Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. - Fort Walton Beach, Florida Relay
Tuesday, May 23, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Austin, Texas Relay
Wednesday, May 24, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Bossier City, Louisiana Relay
Wednesday, May 24, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Fort Worth, Texas Relay
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Dallas, Texas End of Route Meet-up
Sunday, May 28, 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Five National Relay Routes
- West Coast
Begins Thursday, April 27 in Seattle, Washington
209 Locations from Thursday, April 27 to Sunday, May 28 - Mountain States
Begins Tuesday, May 16 in Minot, North Dakota
74 Locations from Tuesday, May 16 – Sunday, May 28 - Midwest
Begins Saturday, May 6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
169 Locations from Saturday, May 6 – Sunday, May 28 - New England
Begins Wednesday, May 3 in Burlington, Vermont
190 Locations from Wednesday, May 3 – Sunday, May 28 - East Coast
Begins Monday, May 1 in West Point, New York
220 Locations from Monday, May 1 – Sunday, May 28
The culmination of the five relay routes will happen on Sunday, May 28 in Dallas, Texas, at the Dallas Memorial March. Our TAPS Dallas Care Group will take part in this special conclusion of this “Memorial May” event honoring all of our fallen heroes.
How to Register
Register with Carry the Load to participate in one of the five national routes. Join your TAPS family, along with Carry the Load, as we honor the legacy of our loved ones. You can also email teamtaps@taps.org for questions or more information.
*Please note although there is a fundraising component, fundraising is NOT required to participate. However, we do ask that you register on the website to join the team so we know you are participating with us.
Share Your Experience With Us
As you honor your fallen heroes and carry them with you, we invite you to share pictures of your memorial activity or walk and any thoughts that this inspiring event may bring out. Photos can be emailed to teamtaps@taps.org or post them to your social media channels and tag us @tapsorg.
What is Carry the Load?
For many years TAPS and survivors across the country have participated in Carry the Load, a national relay bringing Americans together in honor our nation’s heroes. What originally started as a Memorial Day event has grown into “Memorial May” — a month-long series of activities that kicks off at the end of April and concludes on Memorial Day.
Partnership Info
TAPS is proud to once again be an official non-profit partner with Carry the Load in this moving memorial event. We have been an honored partner since their first inaugural event, and look forward to observing their 11th anniversary with them this May.
For more information OR if you would like to be a TAPS Team Lead in one of the Rally Cities along the five National Routes, please contact teamtaps@taps.org.