In its eighth iteration, the event took place the day before Memorial Day. Participants walked, bikeed or paddled around Mirror Lake and through downtown Lake Placid on a busy weekend day — raising awareness for and paying tribute to current and former military members and first responders.

Lake Placid’s rally was organized by Stuart Hemsley, who has done so since it began here in 2015.

“This is our day,” he said. “This is a day where we’re not taking away from anybody, but we’re just trying to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day. We’re not protesting, we’re just letting you know that there are people out there who need help, and we’re willing to help them.”

Differing from Memorial Day, which honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military, much of Carry The Load’s purpose is to help those who have given so much, or “carried the load” in service and are adjusting back to civilian life — some of whom may be struggling.

Stuart Hemsley speaks in Mid’s Park at the beginning of the eighth annual Carry The Load rally in Lake Placid on Sunday. Hemsley started and has organized the event in Lake Placid since it began there in 2015. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

The rally was part of a nationwide slate of Carry The Load events that took place throughout May. Over the weekend, a number of rallies convened in Dallas, with organizers estimating 20,000 people in attendance.

The funds raised during Lake Placid’s rally stay local — this year the rally supported Homeward Bound Adirondacks, a nonprofit focused on helping veterans throughout the region. James Howard served in the U.S. Army for three years as a 19D Cavalry Scout, where he was the eyes and ears for various military operations. Now, he’s a veteran helping other veterans as a Peer Specialist with Homeward Bound Adirondacks.

Howard, who spoke at the rally in Lake Placid, said his work now includes organizing social events — such as bowling, golf and kayaking — arranging transportation to and from medical appointments, providing food and housing services to veterans in need and aiding veterans who are in crisis.

“We just help them out with anything and everything that they need help with,” he said.

Howard said working in a region as rural as the Adirondacks adds to the challenges, but at the same time, it makes the organization’s mission all the more important.

Lake Placid’s eighth annual Carry The Load rally steps off from Mid’s Park for the first lap through the village and around Mirror Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“It’s a struggle to get anywhere and everywhere,” he said. “It seems like everything is two hours away — so to be able to facilitate a ride for veterans to and from their appointments is so meaningful to us, and it’s just one of the better services that we provide.”

Before the rally stepped away from Mid’s Park to make its first lap around Mirror Lake, Howard said his motivation to dedicate his life these days to look out for the veteran and first responder communities was profound.

“I lost brothers, and this is for them,” he said.

Organizers with Lake Placid’s Carry The Load rally stand near Mid’s Park on Sunday shortly before stepping off to walk through downtown Lake Placid and around Mirror Lake. From left, Stuart Hemsley, Jason Abbatiello, Quincy Elmore, Frank Sciarvi, Josiah Sickman-Lundberg and James Howard. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)