Congers Rally – April 28, 2025
On April 28, 2025, Clarkstown will once again be host to the annual Carry The Load relay, a
truly special event that everyone should consider attending. Our great nation only exists
because of the brave men and women who fought to establish and protect the freedoms we all
enjoy today. Dating back to the Revolutionary War, over 650,000 U.S. military personnel have
died in combat and over 540,000 more have died in service. The Carry The Load flag relay was
created to serve as a reminder that the true meaning of Memorial Day is to honor the memory
and sacrifice of these heroes.
With the tremendous help of Congers resident Sean Magee, the Town of Clarkstown is blessed
to be a part of this moving and powerful tradition put together by Carry The Load, a national
veteran’s organization. The not-for-profit’s founding goal has since expanded to additionally
honor those in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our local
communities. The organization’s signature event is an annual relay walk of the American flag,
which travels 2,100 miles from West Point to Texas. The event became so popular that it was
expanded to seven flag walks spanning the entire country. Each of these walks culminates in
Austin, Texas at a park adjacent to the Carry the Load headquarters on Memorial Day.
Clarkstown is very fortunate to be one of the locations where a relay exchange of the flag
occurs, right in downtown Congers. We have built an event complete with a relay march into the
Congers Train Station, a scholarship and wreath laying ceremony, and a community BBQ. Each
year hundreds of residents including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little Leagues, veterans, and
elected officials march with Carry the Load team members from Old Haverstraw Road into the
Congers Train Station Park. It is always heartwarming to see so many families come out to
remember and honor our true heroes. The event is a great opportunity to teach future
generations about Memorial Day and the ultimate sacrifice many have made.
Last year, Carry The Load raised $1.6 million through its fundraising efforts, adding to an overall
total of $46 million since its inception in 2011. And as we all know, raising money is only truly
beneficial when the funds are actually going to help those in need. I’m proud to say that Carry
The Load really excels in this area, with a 91% score and a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator.
The organization is also a designated option in the Combined Federal Campaign program
vetted by the federal government. According to Carry The Load’s website, 93% of the money
raised goes directly into the programs it offers.
To coincide with the relay ceremony, Sean Magee and Anchor Trading sponsor a $5,000
scholarship contest asking High School seniors, “What does Memorial Day mean to you?” Each
year we receive dozens of well-prepared essays from students. The Scholarship Committee is
always impressed with the sincerity of the students’ essays, and their understanding of the true
meaning of Memorial Day.
On a personal note, my father was a veteran who served in Korea and passed away in 2000.
Like many veterans, he didn’t talk much about his time in the service. He came home having
survived the horrors of combat and worked to build a family and life. I have always been so
proud of him. I am thankful to honor him and the many other veterans in our Town that I have
had the privilege to know, at this event. We are fortunate that these veterans returned home, but
many others did not.
Thank you to all the volunteers, Anchor Trading, BRIDGES of Rockland County, the Congers
VMA, Congers, Valley Cottage, and New City Fire Departments, the Clarkstown Police Honor
Guard and Police Auxiliary, Town of Clarkstown staff, U.S. Marine Corp League of Rockland
County, Rockland County Vietnam Veterans, and the Nam Knights, all for participating in and
helping to organize the event.
I hope to see you there!
Carry The Load Relay Details:
Congers Train Station Park
32 Burnside Avenue, Congers
Monday, April 28, 2025 at 6:30pm
