HoehmTown Happenings: Carry the Load

There are so many times throughout the year when I’m reminded how incredibly blessed I am to serve as Supervisor in a town that consistently comes together as a community when it matters most. Clarkstown is one of New York State’s largest towns, with a population of over 86,000 residents. That rather large population is spread out across smaller hamlets and villages, each with their own unique identities. Our town encompasses four different school districts. The sheer size of our population and all these smaller subdivisions can be challenges in maintaining one cohesive identity as a town. But every year, I am reminded that we are an incredibly strong community when people of all ages and backgrounds, from  all over our diverse town, come together for the annual “Carry The Load” event in Congers to honor our nation’s truest heroes: our fallen military and first responders. 

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. Carry The Load is a national veteran’s organization that hosts a number of local events throughout the country with the goal of reminding us all that the true meaning of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday is to honor the memory and sacrifice of these heroes. This mission was later expanded to honor the lives of our fallen first responders, who gave all in protecting the communities they served.

Clarkstown is very fortunate to be one of the locations where Carry The Load holds a local remembrance ceremony and community gathering. Our annual event held at the Congers Train Station features a wreath laying ceremony, a scholarship award, and a community BBQ. Each year hundreds of residents including young children, 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. It’s a great opportunity for us to teach future generations about Memorial Day and the ultimate sacrifice so many have made.  

Since 2011, Carry The Load has raised over $50 million through its fundraising efforts to help those in need in the military and first responder communities. 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 top 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 event, Congers resident and local business owner 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.  This year’s winner was Albert Ouseph, a student at Clarkstown South High School and a dedicated New City Ambulance Corp EMT, who wrote a wonderful essay.

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 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.